A spokesman for the Labour Department (LD) today (June 20) reminded operators of employment agencies (EAs) to conduct their business in compliance with the law and the requirements of the Code of Practice for EAs (the Code) at all times.
The LD has revoked the EA licence of Perfect World Employment Services Co located in Tai Po. The EA failed to meet the requirements set out in the Code, such as getting involved in the financial affairs of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) and withholding the passports of FDHs.
Under section 53(1)(c)(iva) of the Employment Ordinance (EO), the Commissioner for Labour (the Commissioner) may revoke the licence of an EA if he is satisfied that the licensee concerned has not complied with the Code.
"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 from EAs. The Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2018, which came into effect on February 9, 2018, stipulates that the Commissioner may refuse to issue or renew a licence, or may revoke a licence, if he is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee of an EA, or a related person of or an individual employed by the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee has contravened any provision of Part XII of EO or any regulation made under section 62 of EO, such as overcharging job seekers or unlicensed operation, or has not complied with the Code issued under section 62A(1) of EO," the spokesman added.
This is the second revocation of an EA licence in 2019. In 2018, there were eight cases of revocation or refusal of renewal of EA licences.
For enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints about their malpractices, please call the Employment Agencies Administration 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.
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