WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992
1992
A
22
GOVT TO IMPROVE CONTROL ON EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES
BILL WHICH SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE CONTROL ON EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES WAS INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
1992,
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT} THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN
CHAN, IN RECENT YEARS, EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES HAD BECOME MORE SOPHISTICATED AND SOME OF THEM WERE MULTI-NATIONAL OPERATIONS.
BILL
SAID
"THEY HAVE INTRODUCED NEW MODES OF OPERATION UNANTICIPATED THE EXISTING REGULATORY PROVISIONS IN THE LEGISLATION," HE SAID.
BY
THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT SOME OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE HAD BECOME OUT-OF-DATE AND WERE INCOMPATIBLE WITH MODERN-DAY OPERATIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES.
THE BILL PROPOSES THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:
*
MR
BOARD.
TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO OBTAIN SEPARATE LOCAL AND OVERSEAS LICENCES FOR DEALING WITH EMPLOYMENT WITHIN AND OUTSIDE HONG KONG;
ΤΟ
REQUIRE AN APPLICATION FOR A LICENCE BY A COMPANY TO BE MADE BY A DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY ON ITS BEHALF;
TO REQUIRE AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY TO OPERATE WITH ONE LICENCE FOR THE MAIN OFFICE AND A DUPLICATE LICENCE FOR EACH BRANCH OFFICE AND DISPLAY IT AT ALL TIMES IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE ON THE PREMISES;
TO ABOLISH THE KEEPING OF PRESCRIBED REGISTERS OF JOB APPLICANTS AND PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS AND SUBMISSION OF RETURNS ON DETAILS OF PLACEMENTS BY EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES. INSTEAD, AGENCIES WILL HAVE TO KEEP RECORDS OF ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ON JOB APPLICANTS AND EMPLOYERS AND MAKE SUCH RECORD AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION;
ΤΟ REMOVE ALL RESTRICTIONS ON CHARGES TO EMPLOYERS SINCE THERE IS A PRACTICAL NEED FOR EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES, IN PARTICULAR THE SO-CALLED "HEAD-HUNTING" COMPANIES, TO CHARGE A SERVICE FEE AS SOON AS THE EMPLOYER HAS PLACED A JOB ORDER WITH THE AGENCY CONCERNED IN ORDER ΤΟ DEFRAY EXPENSES INCURRED IN RECRUITMENT;
TO ABOLISH THE PROVISION FOR CHARGING OF REGISTRATION FEE FROM JOB APPLICANTS SO AS TO PROTECT THEM FROM BEING CHARGED BY AGENCIES WHICH HAVE NO REAL INTENTION OR ABILITY TO HELP THEM PROCURE EMPLOYMENT; AND
TO PERMIT AN AGENCY TO SHARE ITS COMMISSION WITH ANOTHER AGENCY TO FACILITATE GENUINE BUSINESS CO-OPERATION AMONGST AGENCIES.
CHAN SAID THE BILL HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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