A spokesman for the Labour Department (LD) today (August 13) reminded operators of employment agencies (EAs) to conduct their business in compliance with the law and the Code of Practice for EAs at all times.
      
     The LD recently revoked the licence of Galaxy Maid Employment Consultants Limited, an EA located in Central and Causeway Bay, which failed to meet the standards set out in the Code by failing to include all required items in the service agreements for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) and their employers, failing to keep the written confirmation of FDHs and their employers that they had been briefed about their statutory rights and obligations as well as the content of the Standard Employment Contract by the EA, and failing to keep records relating to the dealings with employers. Despite repeated warnings given by the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) of the LD, the EA was unable to rectify the irregularities detected. The Commissioner for Labour was satisfied that the licensee concerned has not complied with the Code and revoked the licence of the EA on grounds under section 53(1)(c)(iva) of the Employment Ordinance.
      
     The spokesman said, "The Code sets out the salient legal requirements that EA operators must observe in operating their business, as well as the minimum standards which the Commissioner expects of EAs. The EAA conducts regular and surprise inspections of EAs and issues warning letters to EAs for contraventions of the Code, so as to rectify any irregularity detected.
      
     "Under the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 that came into effect on February 9, 2018, the Commissioner is empowered under sections 53(1)(c)(iva), 53(1)(d)(iii) and 53(1)(e)(ii) to refuse to issue or renew a licence, or to revoke a licence, if the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee, or a related person of or an individual employed by the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee, has not complied with a code of practice issued under section 62A(1) of the Ordinance."
      
     This is the fifth case this year involving revocation of or refusal to renew an EA licence. Previously, Familia Employment Agency, an EA located in Tai Po, had its licence revoked after the licensee was convicted of overcharging three job seekers. A further two EAs, namely Tin Wai Employment Company Limited, an EA located in Mong Kok and Tuen Mun, and Good Family Employment Agency Company Limited located in Kennedy Town had their licences revoked respectively for contravening the Code and providing misleading information during the inspections and enquiries of the EAA and for contravening the Code by being involved in the financial affairs of job seekers, failing to issue payment receipts to FDHs and having the management fail to closely supervise its staff. Another EA named JK Company located in Mong Kok had its licence renewal refused because its licensee had contravened the Code by failing to draw up service agreements with FDHs and their employers.
      
     For enquiries or complaints about unlicensed operation and overcharging of commission from job seekers by EAs as well as the Code, please call the LD's EAA at 2115 3667, or visit its office at Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 13) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, will visit Beijing from August 14 to 16 to attend the first meeting of the leading group for the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a member on August 15. The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will join the visit.
 
     Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong in the morning on August 16. During her absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, will be the Acting Chief Executive.

     The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Stephen Phillips, today (August 13) embarked on visits in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Bangkok, Thailand, in the latest promotion activity to update Association of Southeast Asian Nations investors on the business opportunities Hong Kong has to offer in the context of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.
     
     In Ho Chi Minh City, Mr Phillips will participate in a roundtable discussion on business opportunities in Hong Kong relating to the Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative, jointly organised by Invest Hong Kong and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The session will highlight to a group of targeted Vietnamese companies the latest economic trends and developments in Hong Kong and the ease of setting up a business in the city. It will also shed light on cross-boundary initiatives that Hong Kong has undertaken to propel its economy and create greater opportunities for businesses. While in Vietnam, Mr Phillips will also meet with major companies in various industries.
     
     Mr Phillips said, "Hong Kong is seeing unprecedented business opportunities lying ahead in the context of China's Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development strategy. This is the most opportune time for foreign investors to come and leverage Hong Kong's advantages to drive business growth arising from these huge opportunities."
     
     The roundtable event is supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore. Its Director, Mr Bruno Luk, said, "In view of the immense opportunities presented to businesses by the Belt and Road and the Bay Area initiatives, I am sure the Vietnamese companies participating at the event will benefit from learning about Hong Kong's unparalleled advantages as their ideal investment destination."
     
     In Bangkok, Mr Philips will meet leaders in the real estate, retail and textiles sectors, as well as restaurant operators and service providers. He will also talk to major local media on the benefits of entering the Hong Kong market for Thai businesses and promote the upcoming StartmeupHK Festival and other trade exhibitions in Hong Kong.
     
     The Belt and Road Initiative is offering a long-term prospect of transnational and intercontinental connectivity and will give rise to rewarding business prospects including new air, sea and land routes; additional ports; railways and roads connecting different regions; economic and trade pacts; and increased investment flow.
     
     The Bay Area will serve as a powerful connection point for the Belt and Road. A cluster of nine flourishing cities in Guangdong Province together with the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, the Bay Area has a collective population of over 68 million and a combined GDP of some US$1.5 trillion.
     
     The "one country, two systems" arrangement ensures that Hong Kong retains its enduring advantages including the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, the free market mechanism, a low-tax regime and free flow of capital and information. "This makes Hong Kong an international city in China that can help connect the country with the rest of the world," Mr Phillips said.
     
     He added that the city can also help in the country's drive to become a technology leader in the context of the Bay Area. Hong Kong has very strong research and development capacity, which combined with Shenzhen's advanced manufacturing will turn the Bay Area into an international innovation and technology hub.
     
About Invest Hong Kong
 
     Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to attract foreign direct investment and support overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies enrolled as its clients. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 13) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Repulse Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.