A spokesman for the Labour Department (LD) today (February 21) reminded operators of employment agencies (EAs) to conduct their business in compliance with the law, or they may be subject to prosecution and risk having their licences revoked or not renewed.

     The LD has revoked the licence of an EA named Jen's Employment Agency Limited (located in Tsuen Wan). Its licensee was convicted twice of overcharging job-seekers earlier. 

     "Under the Employment Ordinance (EO), the Commissioner for Labour may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke a licence of an EA if the person operating or intending to operate an EA has contravened any provision of Part XII of the said Ordinance such as overcharging job-seekers, or if he is considered not a fit and proper person to operate an EA," the spokesman said.

     EAs are also reminded to comply with the Code of Practice for EAs (the Code) which was promulgated on January 13. The Code sets out the salient legislative requirements which EA operators must observe in their businesses, as well as the minimum standards which the commissioner expected of EA licensees. The Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) will conduct regular and surprise inspections to EAs and issue warning letters to EAs' contraventions to the Code for rectification of irregularities detected. The commissioner may exercise his power under section 53(1)(c)(v) of EO, if satisfied that the licensee concerned is not a fit and proper person to operate an EA, to refuse to issue or to renew, or even to revoke the EA's licence.

     For enquiries or complaints about unlicensed operation, overcharging job-seekers' commission by EAs or concerning the Code, please call the EAA of the LD at 2115 3667, or visit its office at unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.

Ends/Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Issued at HKT 14:30

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