Licence of employment agency revoked
2019-07-23
A spokesman for the Labour Department (LD) today (July 23) 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 licence of Saint Happy Maids Agency located in Mong Kok, Yuen Long and Tsuen Wan. The EA failed to meet the requirements set out in the Code, such as becoming involved in the financial affairs of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs), failing to draw up service agreements with employers, failing to include all required items in the service agreement with employers and FDHs, and failing to provide payment receipts to employers.
Under section 53(1)(c)(iva) and (e)(ii) 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 or an individual employed by the licensee 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 or any regulation made under section 62 of the EO, such as overcharging job seekers, operating an EA without a license, or has not complied with the Code issued under section 62A(1) of the EO," the spokesman added.
This is the third revocation of an EA licence in 2019. In 2018, there were eight cases of revocation/refusal of renewal of EA licences.
For enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints regarding possible 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.
Ends/Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Issued at HKT 16:40
