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In Brief

Agencies warned over improper conduct

Employment agencies have been warned by the Labour Department to comply with the law or they will face possible fines and even revocation of licences. XPAT Domestic was recently fined HK$14,200 at the Eastern Magistrate's Court for unlicensed operation and overcharging two jobseekers. According to the Employment Ordinance, employment agencies must apply for a licence before starting operation - the maximum penalty for unlicensed operation is HK$50,000. In addition, the agencies are not allowed to charge jobseekers - directly or indirectly - any reward or payment, except the commission of not more than 10 per cent of the candidate's first month's salary after a successful placement. The Commissioner for Labour has the right to refuse to issue or renew a licence, and revoke a licence if an employment agency is found guilty of violating the law. Agency operators who have been convicted of offences involving membership of a triad society, fraud, dishonesty or extortion, are not considered to be fit to run employment agencies. Complaints against unlicensed operations or overcharging of commissions by employment agencies can be made to the Employment Agencies Administration.

Women more likely to join unions

Female white collar workers are more likely to join a trade union than their male counterparts, according to a survey conducted by recruitment firm Talent2. The Australian agency found that almost 13 per cent of the women respondents in Australia said they were part of a union, while only 8 per cent of men said so. Craig Sneesby of Talent2 said that the women respondents believed that belonging to a union would help them win better salaries and enjoy improved working conditions.

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