A woman in Hong Kong was convicted on 8 August of managing a staffing firm without a valid licence, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced.

In court, the defendant was fined HKD 12,000 (USD 1,539.91) and ordered to refund HKD 32,400 (USD 4,157.76) to a job seeker who filed a complaint.

The Hong Kong government reported the job seeker filed the complaint in November 2023, and a subsequent investigation found sufficient evidence proving the defendant was managing an employment agency without a valid licence. Prosecution then began against her.

“All establishments or persons operating a business in Hong Kong to obtain employment for another person or supply personnel to an employer are governed by Part XII of the EO and the Employment Agency Regulations (Cap. 57A). Unauthorized operation or management of an employment agency can face prosecution,” according to the government press release.

The maximum penalty for unlicensed operation of an employment agency or overcharging commissions from job seekers is a fine of HKD 350,000 (USD44,914.10) and up to three years in prison.