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Artellect Limited (located in Tuen Mun) was convicted and fined $45,000 at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts yesterday (October 29) for overcharging a job seeker.
In April 2015, the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) of the Labour Department (LD) received a complaint against Artellect for overcharging of commission from a job seeker. Investigation revealed sufficient evidence that Artellect had collected excessive placement fees from a foreign domestic helper (FDH) and thus prosecution was taken out against the agency.
According to the law, employment agencies (EAs) are not allowed to collect from job seekers any fees or charge other than the prescribed commission, which is set at 10 per cent of the latter's first month's salary upon successful placement.
"We are glad that the FDH concerned was willing to come forward to report her case to the EAA and act as prosecution witness," a spokesman for the LD said. "The LD will not tolerate any EAs overcharging job seekers and will act promptly upon receipt of any complaints. Prosecution will be initiated when there is sufficient evidence and the Commissioner for Labour will consider revoking, or refusing to renew, an EA's licence upon its conviction. Any job seekers who suspect they have been overcharged by EAs should report their case to the EAA as soon as possible and act as prosecution witness."
Artellect is the eighth EA that has been convicted of overcharging this year. The other seven EAs that were convicted of overcharging this year are Bagus Employment Agency (located in Central), Satisfactory Employment & Travel Centre Limited (located in Tai Wai), Vicks Maid Consultant Company (located in Sha Tin), Joyce Agency (located in Kwai Chung), Maidhouse Employment Agency Co Limited (located in Tsuen Wan), Smile Sunshine Employment Limited (located in North Point) and Shun Tat Employment Agency Company (located in Causeway Bay).
The LD reminds EAs to operate in full compliance with the law. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution and possible revocation of licences.
For enquiries or complaints about unlicensed operations or overcharging of commissions by EAs, please call the EAA at 2852 3535 or visit its office on 12/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong.
Ends/Friday, October 30, 2015
Issued at HKT 10:46
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