A domestic helper employment agency in Hong Kong has its license revoked by the city’s Labor Department after it was found overcharging a foreign domestic worker.
The Labor Department confirmed it cancelled the license of Shun Tat Employment Agency Company in Causeway Bay after its licensee was convicted and fined HK$3,000 for overcharging a jobseeker.
“It is an offence under the law for an employment agency to charge a job-seeker a commission that is more than 10 per cent of the job-seeker’s first month’s salary for successful job placement,” a spokesman for the Department said on June 3.
“An EA that overcharges job-seekers may be subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 upon conviction. The Commissioner for Labour will also consider revoking or refusing to renew its licence,” he added.
The Eastern Magistrates’ Courts in September convicted the licensee of Shun Tat in September after it collected an excessive placement fee from an FDH.
“Operators of EAs are reminded to conduct their business in compliance with the laws including the Employment Ordinance and the Employment Agency Regulations at all times,” the LD spokesman said.
“We also encourage job-seekers who are suspected of being overcharged by EAs to report their cases to the LD,” he added.
To enquire or file a complaint relating unlicensed operation or overcharging applicants, Labor Department’s Employment Agencies Administration can be reached at +852 2115 3667 or visit its office at Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.