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Employment agencies have been reminded to conduct their business in compliance with the law, otherwise they may be prosecuted and their licences may be revoked.
A spokesman for the Labour Department issued the reminder today (November 13) after two employment agency licences had recently been revoked.
The licensee of "Wing Shun Employment Agency" was convicted for overcharging a job-seeker when he operated another employment agency, which had been closed at the time of conviction. Because the licensee was convicted of an offence under Part XII of the Employment Ordinance, the Commissioner for Labour revoked his licence to operate "Wing Shun Employment Agency". The licensee appealed to the Administrative Appeals Board but the appeal was dismissed.
The department had also revoked the licence of "Chin King Employment Service Centre". The decision was made after the operator was convicted for aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the breach of condition of stay contrary to the Criminal Procedure Ordinance and Immigration Ordinance.
Four employment agency licences have been revoked so far this year.
"Under the Employment Ordinance, the Commissioner for Labour may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke a licence of an employment agency if its operator has contravened any provision of Part XII of the said Ordinance or the Employment Agency Regulations, or if he has been convicted of an offence involving membership of a triad society, fraud, dishonesty or extortion, or for any other reason, he is not a fit and proper person to operate an employment agency," the spokesman said.
If people have any enquiry or complaints against employment agencies concerning unlicensed operation or overcharging of commission, they may telephone the department's Employment Agencies Administration on 2852 3535 or approach its office at 12/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong.
Ends/Sunday, November 13, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:31
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