LD Shuts Down Two Agencies
THE Labour Department (LD) has closed down two agencies for overcharging foreign domestic workers.
The LD said it has revoked the licenses of Maidhouse Employment Agency (located in Tsuen Wan) and Smile Sunshine Employment Limited (located in North Point).
“The licensee of Smile Sunshine Employment Limited has been convicted of overcharging a jobseeker and was fined $10,000, while the licensee of Maidhouse Employment Agency also operated another EA (employment agency) which was convicted of overcharging, and thus she was considered not a fit and proper person for operating an EA,” the department said in a statement on Nov. 6.
The LD reminded employment agency operators to conduct their business in compliance with the law, or they may face prosecution or risk their licences being revoked or their renewal refused.
“Under the Employment Ordinance, the Commissioner for Labour may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke a licence of an EA if the person operating or intending to operate an EA has contravened any provision of Part XII of the said Ordinance, or if he is considered not a fit and proper person to operate an EA,” a spokesman for the LD said.
For enquiries or complaints about unlicensed operation or overcharging jobseekers’ 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.