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The Labour Department (LD) today (April 15) promulgated a draft Code of Practice (CoP) for Employment Agencies (EAs) for public consultation. The consultation period lasts till June 17, 2016.
A spokesman for the LD today said, "Having regard to public expectations and concerns from employers and job-seekers on the services of EAs, the LD plans to promulgate the CoP for the EA industry's compliance to promote professionalism and quality services in the EA industry."
The draft CoP consists of five Chapters and eight Annexes. Chapter 3 mainly restates the salient legislative requirements in the Employment Ordinance (EO) (Cap 57) and Employment Agency Regulations (Cap 57A) that EA licensees must follow when operating their business. Chapter 4 sets out the minimum standards which the Commissioner for Labour (the Commissioner) expects of EA licensees in operating their business.
"Whether an EA licensee or applicant can meet the standards is one of the important factors which the Commissioner will take into account when assessing if the EA licensee or applicant is a fit and proper person to operate an EA. Section 53(1)(c)(v) of the EO provides the Commissioner the power that, if he is satisfied that a person is, for any other reason, not a fit and proper person to operate an EA, the Commissioner may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke an EA's licence," the spokesman said.
Amongst the standards set out in Chapter 4, some are particularly relevant to EAs engaging in the placement of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs). Whether FDH EAs can meet such standards, amongst other factors, will be taken into account by the Commissioner when issuing licences to or renewing licenses for FDH EAs.
The draft CoP can be obtained at offices of the LD or the Public Enquiry Service Centres of District Offices of the Home Affairs Department. It is also available for download at the LD's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/copconsultation.htm).
Stakeholders of the industry and members of the public may send their written submissions on the draft Code by email to copconsultation@labour.gov.hk; by fax to 2111 3395; or by post to Employment Agencies Administration of LD at Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon, on or before June 17, 2016. For more information, please visit the LD's website or call the LD's hotline at 2111 3857.
Ends/Friday, April 15, 2016
Issued at HKT 13:02
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