Labour Department shuts down employment agency in Mong Kok
Mong Kok
The Labour Department (LD) said this afternoon that it had shut down an employment agency for failing to comply with the Code of Practice for employment agencies (EAs).
A LD spokesman said the department revoked the license of Tin Wai Employment Company Limited, with offices in Mong Kok and Tuen Mun, after it “provided misleading information during the inspections and enquiries of the Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) of the LD and failed to meet the standards set out in the Code.”
“The Commissioner for Labour was satisfied that the licensee concerned was not a fit and proper person to operate an EA and revoked the licence on the grounds under section 53(1)(c)(v) of the Employment Ordinance,” the LD said in a statement.
The LD spokesman reminded EAs to conduct their business in compliance with the law and the Code of Practice for EAs “at all times.”
“The Code sets out the salient legislative requirements that EA operators must observe in operating their business, as well as the minimum standards which the commissioner expects of EAs,” he said.
He added that the EAA conducts regular and surprise inspections of EAs and issues warning letters to agencies that violate the Code, “so as to rectify any irregularities detected.”
“According to the Employment Ordinance (amendment) that came into effect on February 9, (it empowers) the commissioner to refuse to issue or renew a licence, or to revoke a licence, if the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee, or a related person of or an individual employed by the licensee or the person intending to be the licensee, has not complied with (the Code),” the spokesman said.
The LD said this was the second time this year that it revoked or refused to renew an employment agency’s licence.
“Previously, an EA named JK Company (located in Mong Kok) had its licence renewal refused because its licensee contravened the Code by failing to draw up service agreements with foreign domestic helpers and their employers. Therefore, the licensee was considered not fit and proper to operate an EA,” the LD said.
Jobseekers victimized by erring employment agencies may call the EAA at 2115 3667, or visit its office at Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.