**************************************************
The Labour Department (LD) recently refused to renew the licence of an employment agency (EA) named Artellect Limited (located in Tuen Mun) after its licensee was convicted and fined $45,000 for overcharging a job seeker.
"It is an offence under the law for an EA to charge a job seeker a commission that is more than 10 per cent of the job seekerˇ¦s first monthˇ¦s salary for successful job placement. An EA that overcharges job seekers may be subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 upon conviction. The Commissioner for Labour will also consider revoking or refusing to renew its licence," a spokesman for LD said.
"Operators of EAs are reminded to conduct their business in compliance with the laws including the Employment Ordinance and the Employment Agency Regulations at all times. We also encourage job seekers who are suspected of being overcharged by EAs to report their cases to the LD. Upon receipt of a complaint, the LD will initiate investigation promptly and prosecution will be taken out if there is sufficient evidence," the spokesman added.
For enquiries or complaints on unlicensed operation or overcharging job seekers' commission by EAs, please call the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD at 2852 3535, or visit its office at 12/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong.
Ends/Friday, January 22, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:05
NNNN
