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An employment agency was convicted for overcharging a job seeker at Shatin Magistrates' Courts today (December 9).
The licensee of Winna Employment Agency was fined $4,000 and ordered to pay compensation of $5,626 to the job seeker concerned by the court.
According to the law, employment agencies are allowed to collect from job seekers no more than 10 per cent of the latter's first month's salary. In May 2013, the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) of the Labour Department (LD) received a complaint of overcharging from a foreign domestic helper against Winna Employment Agency. Investigation revealed that the said agency collected excessive placement fees from the complainant.
Subsequent to the conviction, the EAA would proceed with considering whether to revoke the licence of Winna Employment Agency.
The LD reminds employment agencies to comply with the law or they may face prosecution and possible revocation of licences.
For inquiries or complaints against unlicensed operations or overcharging of commissions by employment agencies, please call the EAA at 2852 3535 or visit its office at 12/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong.
Ends/Monday, December 9, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:42
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