***************************************************
The Labour Department (LD) today (December 8) reminds employment agencies that they are not allowed to collect from job-seekers any fees or charge other than the prescribed commission under the law, which is set at 10 per cent of the latter's first month's salary upon successful placement. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution and possible revocation, or refusal of renewal, of licences.
The licensee of 3sion Employment Agency (3sion) (located in Tin Hau) was convicted and fined $6,000 at Eastern Magistrates' Courts recently for overcharging a job-seeker. The Court also ordered the Company to refund excessive placement fees of $7,389 to the job-seeker.
In July 2015, the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) of the LD received a complaint against 3sion for overcharging of commission from a job-seeker. Investigation revealed sufficient evidence that 3sion had collected excessive placement fees from a foreign domestic helper (FDH) and thus prosecution was taken out against the agency.
"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 that they have been overcharged by EAs should report their case to the EAA as soon as possible and act as prosecution witness."
3sion is the ninth EA that has been convicted of overcharging this year. Its licence expired in November 2015 and the Commissioner will consider refusing to renew its licence.
The other eight 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), Shun Tat Employment Agency Company (located in Causeway Bay) and Artellect Limited (located in Tuen Mun).
The LD reminds all operators of employment agencies must operate in accordance with the law.
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/Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:57
NNNN
