Licence of employment agency revoked
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The LD recently revoked the licence of an EA, named In On Domestic Employment (located in Kwai Chung), which failed to meet the standards set out in the Code, such as drawing up service agreements with job-seekers and employers. Despite repeated warnings given by the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) of the LD, the EA was unable to rectify the irregularities detected.
The Spokesman said that the Code sets out the salient legislative requirements which EA operators must observe in operating their business, as well as the minimum standards which the Commissioner for Labour expects of EA licensees. The EAA will conduct regular and surprise inspections to EAs and issue warning letters to EAs for contraventions of the Code, so as to rectify any irregularities detected. If an EA fails to comply with the Code despite warnings, the commissioner may consider revoking or refusing to renew the EA's licence on the grounds that the licensee concerned is not a fit and proper person to operate an EA under section 53(1)(c)(v) of the Employment Ordinance.
This is the fifth revocation of/refusal to renew an EA licence this year. Previously an EA named Java Maid Recruitment Service (located in Causeway Bay) had its licence revoked after the licensee was convicted of overcharging a job-seeker. A further two EAs, namely Sunday Employment Agency (located in Prince Edward) and Chun Hing Agency (located in Sham Shui Po), also had their licences revoked, respectively for contravening the Code by luring employers of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) to recover their paid fees by deducting some of the wages from FDHs and withholding passports from FDHs without reasonable excuse, and therefore the licensees were considered not fit and proper to operate an EA. Another EA (only the Chinese name is available, please refer to the Chinese version of the press release) (located in Mong Kok) also had its licence renewal refused because its nominated operator was an undischarged bankrupt.
For enquiries or complaints about unlicensed operation, overcharging job-seekers' commission by EAs and the Code, please call the EAA of the LD at 2115 3667, or visit its office at Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.
Ends/Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:35
Issued at HKT 12:35
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