XN000022-1973-05-11 — Page 14

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Friday, May 11, 1973

LEGISLATION TO CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES

The Employment (Amendment) Bill 1973, which repeals part VII of

the Employment Ordinance dealing with the registration of employment agencies,

has been passed by the Legislative Council and was published in the gazette today.

It will become effective in six months.

The Assistant Commissioner of Labour, Mrs. Soo Mok Sau-ha, said

today that as from November 8 every employment agency which fell within the

scope of the legislation would have to obtain a licence from the Commissioner

of Labour,

"A non-profit-making agency may apply for a certificate of exemption,

but it will still be governed by certain regulations," she said.

The legislation excludes certain types of employment agencies. In

particular it excludes those dealing solely with domestic servants.

Mrs. Soo said that the fees chargeable by an agency from a job-seeker

would be limited

on first registration - and on subsequent registrations

-

to HK$3.00 per registration. The commission chargeable from a job-seeker on

successful placement would be limited to 10 per cent of his first month's wages.

The legislation also limits the fees chargeable by an agency from an

employer for obtaining an employee, while the commission chargeable from

an employer on successfully obtaining for hin an employee will be a matter of

agreement between the employer and the agency.

Regulations under the legislation are being made by the Executive Council.

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