The licensee of an employment agency discovered to be overcharging foreign domestic workers was fined HKD10,000 at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.
An additional HKD4,000 fine was handed down for operating at a premises without a licence.
The Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) and the Labour Department investigated after receiving complaints that Vicks Maid Consultant Company – originally located in Causeway Bay but relocated to Sha Tin since February – was overcharging commission from job seekers.
According to the law, employment agencies can only take 10 percent of a job seeker’s first month’s salary upon successful placement, but many are known to take much higher commission for months on end.
Vicks also failed to duplicate their license for the new Sha Tin premises.
The agency is the third to be convicted of overcharging job seekers this year, following Bagus Employment Agency in Central and Satisfactory Employment & Travel Centre Limited in Tai Wai.
To report activities of other employment agencies overcharging, call the EAA on (+852) 2852-3535 ore visit the office at 12/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central.
Photo: Coconuts Media
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