Woman convicted of operating unlicensed employment agency
A woman was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for operating an employment agency (EA) without a valid licence in violation of the requirements under Part XII of the Employment Ordinance (EO). The woman was convicted at the Shatin Magistrates' Courts today (March 6) and was fined $5,000. The court also ordered the woman to refund the service fee of $1,000 to the employer concerned.
In March 2025, the LD received a complaint against a woman from the employer of a post-natal care helper. As subsequent investigations indicated sufficient evidence that the woman was operating an EA without a valid licence, the LD took out prosecution against her.
All establishments or persons operating a business in Hong Kong for the purpose of obtaining employment for another person or supplying personnel to an employer are governed by Part XII of the EO and the Employment Agency Regulations. Irrespective of the mode of operation or the types of jobs involved, all EAs must obtain a licence issued by the LD before undertaking any EA activities. Except for the EA licence holder or his/her associates, no one shall operate, manage or assist in the management of an EA. Offenders may face prosecution.
The LD reminds EAs to operate in full compliance with the law as well as the Code of Practice for EAs at all times. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution and/or revocation of licence. The maximum penalty for the offences of unlicensed operation of an EA or overcharging commission from job-seekers is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
Should there be enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints about suspected violations of EAs, please contact the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD (telephone: 2115 3667; email: ea-ee@labour.gov.hk; address: Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon).
Source: AI-found images
Special traffic and transport arrangements in Chai Wan during Ching Ming Festival
The Transport Department (TD) today (March 6) reminded members of the public that in anticipation of a large number of grave-sweepers heading to the cemeteries along Cape Collinson Road in Chai Wan during the Ching Ming Festival period, the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented there to facilitate their visits to the cemeteries.
A. Special Traffic Arrangements
(i) Temporary prohibited zone
The section of Cape Collinson Road to the east of Lin Shing Road (i.e. the left-turning movement from Lin Shing Road to Cape Collinson Road leading to the Chinese Permanent Cemetery) will be temporarily designated as a private car and light goods vehicle prohibited zone from 7am to 3pm daily from March 14 to April 26. All private cars and light goods vehicles, except those with permits, will be prohibited from entering the prohibited zone.
(ii) Road closures
In connection with the implementation of road closures at Cape Collinson Road and its vicinity by the Police, except for the exempted vehicles, Lin Shing Road and Cape Collinson Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 7am to 5pm on the specified dates.
Road closures arrangements |
Date |
Exempted vehicles |
Phase 1 road closures |
March 21, 22, 28, 29 and April 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 18 and 19 |
Franchised buses
Green minibuses (GMBs) routes 16A, 16M, 16X and 18M
Taxis
Hearses
Funeral vehicles
Vehicles with permits
Phase 2 road closures |
April 5
(Ching Ming Festival) |
Franchised buses
GMB routes 16A, 16M, 16X
Hearses
Funeral vehicles
Vehicles with permits
B. Public Transport Services
(i) The following special bus services will be operated on the specified dates, and the bus services will be strengthened depending on the passenger demand and traffic conditions.
Routes |
Date |
Operating period |
Citybus (CTB) Route 388 (Circular)
- between Chai Wan Station Bus Terminus and Chai Wan Cemeteries |
March 15 |
10am to 2pm |
March 21 and 22 |
9am to 2pm |
March 28, 29, April 3 and 4 |
9am to 4pm |
April 5
(Ching Ming Festival) |
8am to 6pm |
April 6 and 7 |
9am to 4pm |
April 11 and 12 |
9am to 2pm |
April 18 and 19 |
10am to 2pm |
CTB Route 389 (Circular)
- between Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus and Chai Wan Cemeteries |
March 22 |
9am to 2pm |
March 28, 29, April 3 and 4 |
9am to 4pm |
April 5
(Ching Ming Festival) |
8am to 6pm |
April 6 and 7 |
9am to 4pm |
April 11 and 12 |
9am to 2pm |
(ii) CTB route X9 will operate additional departures from Shek O to Central (Central Ferry Piers) from noon to 2pm on April 5 (Ching Ming Festival).
(iii) CTB routes 8X, 9 and 780 and cross harbour routes 106, 118 and 606, and GMB route 18M will be strengthened subject to passenger demand.
(iv)GMB route 18M service will be temporarily suspended during Phase 2 of road closures.
During the Ching Ming Festival period, adjustments to the extent of road closures, traffic control measures and public transport diversions will be made by the Police depending on the actual traffic conditions in the areas.
Grave-sweepers are advised to plan their journey early and allow more travelling time. If they would like to go to the cemeteries along Cape Collinson Road in Chai Wan outside the above-mentioned road closure periods, they should use public transport services as far as possible. They can take GMB routes 16A, 16M, 16X or 18M at Chai Wan MTR Station to Cape Collinson Road, or take CTB Route 9 at Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus to Shek O Road near Cape Collinson Road. Grave-sweepers heading to the Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium may also make use of the escalators and pedestrian access route connecting San Ha Street at Chai Wan (near Chai Wan MTR Station Exit A) and the said columbarium.
The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of Cape Collinson Road, Lin Shing Road and Wan Tsui Road in Chai Wan will be busy. Motorists are advised not to drive to the congested and affected areas and should exercise tolerance and patience in case of traffic congestion and observe the instructions given by the Police.
Members of the public are advised to be alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television. They may also visit the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) or use the mobile application "HKeMobility" for the latest traffic and public transport information.
Source: AI-found images
