Woman Fined $7,000 for Operating Unlicensed Employment Agency in Hong Kong

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 (Cap. 57) (EO). The woman was convicted at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (August 17) and was fined $7,000. The court also ordered the woman to refund the service fee of $26,388 to the employer concerned.

The Eastern Magistrates' Courts, the Eastern Law Courts Building

In March 2022, the LD received a complaint from an employer. As subsequent investigations revealed 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 (Cap. 57A). Irrespective of the mode of operation or the types of jobs referred, all EAs must obtain a licence issued by the LD before undertaking any EA activities. Except for the EA licence holder or his or 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 and 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 commissions 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

TD alerts public to fraudulent vehicle airbag safety recall messages

The Transport Department (TD) today (November 14) alerted the public to fraudulent vehicle airbag safety recall messages purported to be from the TD. Members of the public should not fall prey to fraudulent government messages from unofficial means, nor provide any personal information. The case will be referred to the Police for follow-up.

A spokesman for the TD clarified that the department has no connection with the fraudulent letters or messages making unauthorised use of the department's name. At present, the TD only sets out safety recall information provided by authorised dealers of registered vehicle manufacturers on its website (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/vehicle_typeapp_examination/safety_recall/index.html). The TD does not issue letters to inform individual vehicle owners of safety recalls for their vehicles. The public should verify information to avoid falling into scam traps. For enquiries, they should contact the relevant authorised agents or dealers directly.

Members of the public should stay alert when receiving messages from unknown sources, and must not log in to suspicious websites or provide personal information. Anyone who has provided personal information as such should contact the Police. For enquiries, please call the TD's hotline at 2804 2600 or email tdenq@td.gov.hk.

Source: AI-found images