XN000022-1984-08-08 — Page 24

23

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1984

JOB AGENCIES REMINDED ABOUT FEES

***

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY REMINDED OPERATORS OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES THAT FEES AND COMMISSIONS THEY CHARGE ARE PRESCRIBED BY THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS.

THIS FOLLOWED A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH THE LICENSEE OF AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY WAS FINED BY A MAGISTRATE FOR CHARGING A JOB-SEEKER MORE THAN THE PRESCRIBED FEE AND COMMISSION.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS, THE FEE PAID BY JOB-SEEKERS FOR FIRST REGISTRATION AND FOR RENEWAL AFTER THREE MONTHS IS LIMITED TO $3 ON EACH OCCASION, AND THAT THE COMMISSION FOR A SUCCESSFUL JOB PLACEMENT IS LIMITED TO 10 PER CENT OF THE FIRST MONTH'S RECEIVED SALARY.

THE REGULATIONS ALSO LIMIT THE FEE THAT CAN BE CHARGED BY AN AGENCY TO AN EMPLOYER TO A MAXIMUM OF $10 FOR EACH TYPE OF VACANCY REGISTERED ON FIRST REGISTRATION AND $5 FOR RENEWAL OF SUCH REGISTRATION. THE COMMISSION TO BE PAID BY AN EMPLOYER ON SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINING FOR HIM AN EMPLOYEE BY AN AGENCY IS A MATTER OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES.

THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT CHARGING MORE THAN THE PRESCRIBED FEES AND COMMISSIONS IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS AND THE LICENSEE OF THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY CONCERNED IS LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO A FINE OF $10 000.

ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES MAY BE MADE TO THE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE NUMBERS 5-767420 AND 5-767311.

MORE TIME FOR MARRIAGES ****

THE MARRIAGE REGISTRY AT RAWLINSON HOUSE, VICTORIA BARRACKS, COTTON TREE DRIVE, CENTRAL, WILL BE EXTENDING ITS SERVICE HOURS TO SUNDAY AFTERNOONS, FROM 2 PM TO 4.45 PM.

THIS WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM THE COMING SUNDAY (AUGUST 12).

THE ARRANGEMENT IS TO MEET POPULAR DEMAND FOR MARRIAGE SERVICE ON SUNDAYS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.

FROM SUNDAY, THE WORKING HOURS OF THE REGISTRY WILL BE:

/MONDAY