A man was convicted of operating an unlicensed employment agency and was fined HKD 10,000 (USD 1,279) at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.

In May 2022, the labour department received a complaint against a man from an employer seeking to hire a foreign domestic helper. As the investigation revealed sufficient evidence that the man was operating an unlicensed employment agency, the labour department decided to prosecute.

All establishments or persons operating a business in Hong Kong for recruiting or supplying personnel to an employer are governed by Part XII of the Employment Ordinance and the Employment Agency Regulations.

Irrespective of the modus operandi or the types of jobs referred, all employment agencies must obtain a licence issued by the labour department before undertaking any employment agency activities. Except for the employment agency licence holder or their associates, no one shall operate, manage or assist in managing an agency. Offenders may face prosecution.