A letter dated Jan. 22 was sent by the Department’s Employment Agencies Administration (EAA) to several of the complainants, asking them to complete a complaint form, and submitting relevant documents.
The recipients were given 14 days to comply with the instructions, or the EAA would take no further action on their complaint.
Earlier, the complainants received calls from the EAA telling them that they could expect to be called to the Agency’s office in Central for interviews, and that they should ask permission from their employers for this, as they would be done during weekdays.
Meanwhile, there has been no word yet on what action the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, which was reportedly notified of the case at the same time, has taken as regards the complaint against Ka Ying’s Philippine counterpart, Mariz.
In a statement issued after Ka Ying’s court conviction in a separate case on Jan. 20, the Labour Department told FDHs not to be afraid to report agencies and stand as witnesses against agencies that overcharge them.
The statement said that the complaint against Ka Ying was received by Labour in March last year, and that a subsequent investigation revealed sufficient evidence that the agency had indeed collected an excessive placement fee from the worker.
“We are glad that the FDH concerned was willing to come forward to report her case to the EAA and act as prosecution witness,” the statement said.
“LD will not tolerate any agencies overcharging job-seekers and will act promptly upon receipt of any complaints. Prosecution will be initiated when there is sufficient evidence and the Commissioner for Labour will consider revoking, or refusing to renew, an agency’s license upon its conviction.
Ka Ying is the second employment agency convicted of overcharging this year.
Another agency, Marks Domestic Helper Agency Limited in Tsuen Wan, was also convicted of overcharging earlier this month.
Last year, nine agencies, were found guilty of the same offence.
They were identified as Bagus Employment Agency in Central, Satisfactory Employment & Travel Centre Limited in Tai Wai, Vicks Maid Consultant Company in Sha Tin, Joyce Agency in Kwai Chung, Maidhouse Employment Agency Co Limited in Tsuen Wan, Smile Sunshine Employment Limited in North Point, Shun Tat Employment Agency Company in Causeway Bay, Artellect Limited in Tuen Mun and 3sion Employment Agency in Tin Hau, – The SUN Staff
