By Coconuts Hong Kong November 6, 2015 /11:52 HKT
Hong Kong’s Labour Department has revoked the licenses of two employment agencies after their operators were found to be overcharging job seekers.
Maidhouse Employment Agency in Tsuen Wan and Smile Sunshine Employment Limited in North Point – both of which primarily find work for foreign domestic helpers – will no longer be able to take advantage of some of the most vulnerable people in Hong Kong.
Aww, sorry, guys. Sucks to be you… for numerous reasons.
In August, Smile Sunshine was fined HKD10,000 for overcharging a jobseeker after a complaint was made to the Employment Agencies Administration in March.
Maidhouse, on the the other hand, is run by the same licensee as another employment agency that was convicted of overcharging clients, so was therefore deemed unfit to continue operations.
The Labour Department reminded employment agencies that they could see their licenses revoked and face prosecution if they fail to comply with the law.
Hong Kong law allows agents to charge only 10 percent of a worker’s first month’s salary, but many are renowned for keeping helpers in debt for months on end.
Photo: Myriam Tsen-Kung/ Coconuts Media
http://hongkong.coconuts.co/2015/11/06/2-hong-kong-domestic-helper-employment-agencies-see-licenses-revoked-overcharging