Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices by employment agent
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Customs earlier received information alleging that a salesperson of an employment agency company had made a false claim to a customer in the sale of employment agency services, saying the company would arrange another domestic helper without additional charge if the job application was withdrawn by the domestic helper due to personal reasons.
However, the foreign domestic helper selected earlier by the customer had withdrawn the job application and the company required additional charges for arranging another foreign domestic helper, which was contrary to the claim.
After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 38-year-old woman.
An investigation is ongoing. The arrested woman has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure services at reputable shops.
Under the TDO, any trader who applies a false trade description to a service supplied to a consumer commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:07
Issued at HKT 17:07
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