STUDENTS planning to make some money during the summer vacation are warned to be careful when they go job-hunting as many crooks are out there to take advantage of them.
A lot of companies with ulterior motives make use of this period to cheat inexperienced youths who are eager to make a few bucks in their leisure time.
Before getting a summer job, students should find out about the Labour Department's employment regulations and pay attention to safety and money matters.
Ms Tracy Ma Man-kiu, officer-in-charge of the Hong Kong YWCA's Hotline Project, said students aged between 13 and 15 who had not completed Form Three should be extra careful when looking for a summer job.
They are required to submit a written consent from their parents to prospective employers, and they also have to provide evidence to prove they are full-time students.
''They cannot work for industrial establishments, dangerous businesses or pornographic enterprises,'' Ms Ma said. ''They are only allowed to work in the non-industrial sector.'' Students aged 15 or above who have completed Form Three are allowed to work in industrial and commercial sectors. However, they cannot work in dangerous premises or more than eight hours a day.
''We find that students are often cheated by investment or modelling companies, which usually require them to make some purchases or pay for some courses before they can get the job,'' Ms Ma said.
