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Operators of employment agencies could face prosecution and may have their licences revoked or nor renewed if they don't comply with the Employment Ordinance and the Employment Agency Regulations when operating their business.
A spokesman for the Labour Department said today (September 23) that the department had recently refused to renew the employment agency licence of "XPAT Domestic Limited" following the conviction of the operator, Ms Tarno Miharjo Ngatiyem, for overcharging job-seekers and operating the agency before obtaining a licence.
The department considered Ms Ngatiyem's records, and decided not to renew her licence as she was found not a fit and proper person to operate an employment agency.
The spokesman pointed out that under the Employment Ordinance, the Commissioner for Labour may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke a licence if the employment agency operator has contravened any provision of Part XII of the ordinance or the Employment Agency Regulations, or has been convicted of an offence involving membership of a triad society, fraud, dishonesty or extortion, or for any other reason which proves that he is not a fit and proper person to operate an employment agency.
Operators of employment agencies should obtain a licence for conducting employment agency business. Other than the prescribed commission, they should not charge any reward, payment or other advantage in respect of expenses from a job-seeker directly or indirectly in connection with having obtained, obtaining or seeking to obtain an employment for them.
Unlicensed operation of employment agency or overcharging a job seeker will be subject to a maximum penalty of $50,000.
Enquiries or complaints against employment agencies concerning unlicensed operations or overcharging of commission can be made to the Employment Agencies Administration of the Labour Department on 2852 3535 or on 12/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong.
Ends/Sunday, September 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:00
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