Man fined $6k for managing employment agency without licence

Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court. (SCREENSHOT: Google Streetview)

A man was convicted of managing an employment agency without a valid licence and fined $6,000 at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts Thursday, Oct. 15.

A press release from the Hong Kong government said that the Labour Department’s Employment Agencies Administration received a complaint against a man from an employer hiring a foreign domestic helper.

As the investigation revealed sufficient evidence that the man was managing an unlicensed EA and the complainant was willing to act as a prosecution witness, the LD decided to take out prosecution.

The department reminded that agencies must obtain licences issued by the Labour Department before operating, as they are governed by Part XII of the Employment Ordinance and the Employment Agency Regulations.

The Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2018, which came into force on Feb. 9, 2018, raised the maximum penalty for unlicensed operation of an employment agency and overcharging of job seekers’ commissions to a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.