This guidebook aims at providing a quick reference on the legislativerequirements governing the operation of employment agencies in HongKong. It also outlines the procedures for making various applications andnotifications to the Labour Department as required under the EmploymentOrdinance and the Employment Agency Regulations, and provides usefulinformation, things-to-note and commonly asked questions in relation to thedaily operation of an employment agency. Operators or intended operatorsof employment agencies may find it a useful and handy guide to facilitatetheir operation and management.
It should be noted that the Employment Ordinance remains the sole authorityfor the provisions explained. In case of doubt, employment agencies canapproach the Employment Agencies Administration of the Labour Departmentfor enquiry.
Also, to promote the professionalism and service quality of the industry, aCode of Practice for Employment Agencies was promulgated by the LabourDepartment on 13 January 2017. The Code states the statutory requirementsthat the employment agency operators have to follow in operating theirbusiness and the minimum standards which the Commissioner for Labourexpects of employment agencies.
Apart from this guidebook, all licensees, company directors, nominatedoperators as well as personnel and staff of the employment agencies shouldfamiliarise and comply with the Code. The e-versions of this guidebook andthe Code have been uploaded onto the following webpage of the LabourDepartment: