Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices at foreign domestic helper agency

     Hong Kong Customs today (May 18) arrested a male director and a salesman of a domestic helper agency suspected of having applied a false trade description to the employment services supplied, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received information alleging that an employer recruited a foreign domestic helper via a domestic helper agency and later discovered the employment record of the foreign domestic helper was different from the claim of the agency.

     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested two men, aged 32 and 47.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested men have 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. The management staff will also be liable if the offence is committed with their consent or connivance or is attributed to their neglect.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).