XN000022-1990-07-02 — Page 5

MONDAY, JULY 2, 1990

ILLEGAL DEDUCTION FROM WAGES PROHIBITED

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE DEDUCTIONS FROM THE WAGES OF THEIR EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING FOREIGN WORKERS IN HONG KONG, EXCEPT ON CONDITIONS PERMITTED BY LAW.

THOSE

ONLY

FROM

ACCORDING TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, AN EMPLOYER COULD MAKE DEDUCTIONS FROM WAGES ON GROUNDS OF THE EMPLOYEE'S ABSENCE WORK, DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF THE EMPLOYER'S PROPERTY, FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION SUPPLIED AND FOR THE RECOVERY OF ADVANCE OR OVER-PAYMENT OF WAGES OR LOANS MADE TO THE EMPLOYEE.

"ANY OTHER DEDUCTIONS ARE ILLEGAL AND OFFENDING EMPLOYERS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

ARE

HE ADDED THAT EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES WERE ONLY ALLOWED ΤΟ CHARGE JOB-SEEKERS AT THE RATE SET OUT IN THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS.

"AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY MAY CHARGE A JOB-SEEKER A MAXIMUM OF $5 FOR REGISTRATION AND ANOTHER $5 FOR RENEWAL AFTER THREE MONTHS.

"COMMISSION CHARGEABLE FOR SUBSEQUENT PLACEMENT IS ALSO LIMITED TO NOT MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF THE JOB-SEEKER'S PAY IN THE FIRST MONTH," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

"ANY OVERCHARGE WILL BE AN OFFENCE WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000, HE SAID.

REGARDING COMPLAINTS ABOUT DEDUCTIONS FROM WAGES OF IMPORTED WORKERS AND THEIR BEING OVERCHARGED BY EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THEY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY REPORT SUCH MALPRACTICES ΤΟ THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON ITS COMPLAINT HOTLINE 815 2200.

HE REITERATED THAT ALL COMPLAINTS WOULD BE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED AND TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.

FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF NEW GMB ROUTES CAREFULLY CONSIDERED

(GMB)

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS GIVEN CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE LATEST BATCH OF 34 GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES TO BE PUT UP FOR APPLICATION LATER THIS MONTH, A PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT OFFICER, MR ALAN LUI, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

AT A REGULAR MEETING WITH GREEN MINIBUS OPERATORS, MR LUI THE ROUTES WERE BEING GROUPED INTO 18 PACKAGES

IN

AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE THEIR FINANCIAL VIABILITY.

SAID

/HE ADDED