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The licensee of Joyce Agency (which was originally located in Tsuen Wan and moved to Kwai Chung in January 2015) was convicted and fined $8,000 at Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts on July 9 for overcharging a job seeker. The company was also ordered to refund excessive placement fees to the job seeker via the court.
This is the fourth employment agency that has been convicted of overcharging this year. The other three agencies are Bagus Employment Agency (located in Central), Satisfactory Employment & Travel Centre Limited (located in Tai Wai) and Vicks Maid Consultant Company (located in Sha Tin).
The Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) of the Labour Department (LD) received a complaint from a job seeker against the employment agency concerned for overcharging of commission. Investigation revealed that the said agency had collected excessive placement fees from a foreign domestic helper.
According to the law, employment agencies are not allowed to collect from job seekers any fees or charges other than the prescribed commission, which is set at 10 per cent of the latter's first month's salary upon successful placement.
The LD reminds employment agencies to operate in full compliance with the law. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution and possible revocation of licences.
Joyce Agency no longer holds a valid licence for providing a job-placement service as its licence has been cancelled.
For enquiries or complaints about unlicensed operations or overcharging of commissions by employment agencies, please call the EAA at 2852 3535 or visit its office on 12/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong.
Ends/Friday, July 10, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:10
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