You can check on the Labour Department's website to see if there is a valid license number and verify that the company's Chinese/English name matches the address. If you cannot find the company or the license has been revoked, but the company is still operating under another name, it may be an unlicensed or "transferred" intermediary. You should stop using the company immediately and consider reporting it to the Labour Department.
Employment Agency Blacklist 2026 | Latest Labour Department Violations + Unlicensed Agency Check Guide
Author
Eric Lau
Created On
2026-03-19
Edited On
2026-05-18
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Worried about being scammed when hiring a domestic helper through an agency? Kwiksure has compiled the latest 2026 Employment Agency Blacklist from the Labour Department, listing agencies that have had their licences revoked or received official warnings. It also includes a 4-step guide to verify an agency’s licence, helping you avoid shady intermediaries and hire your helper with greater peace of mind!
Table of contents
- Why Should You Check the Employment Agency Blacklist? Common Risks and Violations
- Latest list of Labour Department licenses revoked/refused renewal (as of March 2026)
- List of employment agencies that have received written warnings from the Labour Department (as of March 2026)
- How to verify a hiring agent: 4 steps to confirm if the agent is licensed
- What can be done to discover intermediary violations?
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Why Should You Check the Employment Agency Blacklist? Common Risks and Violations
The main purpose of checking the employment agency blacklist is to reduce the risk of being scammed when hiring a domestic helper and to protect the rights of both employers and workers. Some agencies violate regulations by overcharging commissions, collecting fees from helpers or employers that exceed the legal limit, which can lead to unreasonable expenses or even debt.
In addition, if an employment agency operates without a valid licence, it becomes difficult for employers to seek redress in case of contract disputes or service-related issues. Reputable concerns also arise when agencies use unclear or misleading contract terms—such as failing to provide formal service agreements or receipts, offering contracts inconsistent with the government’s standard employment contract, or later causing disputes over salary, leave, or job scope.
By checking the blacklist, employers can avoid agencies that have received written warnings or been convicted of offences like overcharging or unlicensed operations. Choosing a licensed, law-abiding agency with a clean record helps minimize financial loss and the risk of labour disputes.
Latest list of Labour Department licenses revoked/refused renewal (as of March 2026)
|
Agency name |
Agency Located |
Date of license revocation/refusal to renew |
Reasons for license revocation/refusal to renew |
|
Treasure Jade Limited |
Prince Edward |
September 18, 2025 |
The company's sole director had been convicted of violating the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. |
|
JB Employment Agency |
Kwun Tong |
September 30, 2024 |
1) No written service agreement was signed with the employer when providing services. 2) After collecting the service fee, the employer was not provided with a receipt; the employer was not informed of the relevant laws regarding the employment of foreign domestic helpers (foreign maids), nor of the employer's rights and responsibilities. 3) Failure to provide employers with guidelines, leaflets, brochures, and sample forms related to the rights of foreign domestic helpers. 4) Failure to require the employer to provide written confirmation that they have received the standard employment contract signed by both parties. |
|
Saiko Hong |
Sheung Wan |
March 18, 2024 |
Attempting to overcharge job seekers with commissions |
|
Laikee Tang Advisers |
Sai Ying Pun |
December 7, 2023 |
The company's sole director was convicted of violating the Theft Ordinance. |
|
Lafe Employment Service Limited |
Central |
May 17, 2023 |
1) No service agreement was signed with the employer and the foreign domestic helper (foreign maid). 2) Not all specified items were included in the service agreement signed with the employer. 3) Failure to provide the employer with payment receipts 4) Failure to include all specified items in the payment receipt provided to the employer. 5) Failed to arrange for employers and domestic helpers to sign confirmations that they have received the promotional materials and sample forms, and that they have received a detailed explanation of their rights and responsibilities. 6) Failure to properly maintain records of all transactions with the employer and domestic helper, including confirmations from both parties that they have received the signed standard employment contract. |
|
Happy Joy Employment Training Center |
Tai Wai |
May 5, 2023 |
1) Failure to comply with the provisions of the Code of Practice regarding the withholding of job seekers' passports. 2) The licensee is not a suitable person to operate an employment agency. |
|
Mission Employment Agency Limited |
Hung Hom |
May 5, 2023 |
1) Failed to fulfill its responsibility to verify the accuracy of the information provided by job seekers. 2) When charging employers for services, the company failed to ensure that the candidates it recommended to the employers would be able to assume their new roles. 3) Failed to ensure that the information provided to the employer was consistent with the facts known to the employment agency. |
|
Win Dragon Employment Ltd |
Fo Tan |
December 14, 2022 |
1) No service agreement has been signed with the foreign domestic helper (foreign maid). 2) Not including all necessary items in the service agreement signed with the domestic helper and the employer. 3) Failure to include all specified items in the payment receipts issued to the employer. 4) No arrangements were made for the domestic helper and the employer to sign a confirmation that they had received the promotional materials and sample forms. 5) No written confirmation has been provided from the employer that their rights and responsibilities have been fully explained. 6) Failed to properly maintain records of transactions with domestic helpers and employers, including confirmation from both parties that they have received the signed standard employment contract. |
Note: The above information is based on publicly available data from March 2026 or earlier. The current status of all companies should be based on Labour Department Official records shall prevail.
List of employment agencies that have received written warnings from the Labour Department (as of March 2026)
|
Agency Name |
Agency Located |
Date of issuance of written warning |
Reasons for issuing a written warning |
|
Abadi Employment Consultant Centre |
Yuen Long |
June 2, 2025 |
Failed to fulfill its responsibility to verify the information provided by job seekers, including the accuracy of the information provided in their resumes. |
|
Asia International Employment Agency Company |
Lam Tin |
September 17, 2025 |
1) The service agreement signed with the domestic helper's employer did not include the Code of Practice some required items 2) No records were kept of any transactions with job seekers, including service agreements signed by job seekers. |
|
Fortune In Employment Agency Co. |
Tsim Sha Tsui |
June 4, 2025 |
1) The service agreement signed with the domestic helper's employer did not include the Code of Practice some required items 2) The receipt provided to the domestic helper's employer was not included in the Code of Practice some required items |
|
Boss Dragon Employment Centre |
Tin Shui Wai |
March 6, 2025 |
No records of business dealings with the employer were kept. |
|
FUJIAN HUMAN RESOURCES (HK) COMPANY LIMITED |
Kwun Tong |
August 27, 2025 |
No records of transactions with the employer were kept, including payment receipts issued to the employer. |
|
FUJIAN HUMAN RESOURCES (HK) COMPANY LIMITED |
Kwun Tong |
April 8, 2025 |
1) Directly or indirectly involved in the financial affairs of job seekers, assisting any person, organization, or company (including recruitment agents or intermediaries located in or outside Hong Kong) in charging job seekers fees for arranging their trip to Hong Kong. 2) No written service agreement was signed with the job seeker. 3) After collecting the relevant service fees, no receipt was provided to the job seeker. 4) Failed to ensure a reasonable understanding of the laws relating to operating an employment agency, including but not limited to the Employment regulations、Employment Agency Regulations, as well as Code of Practice requirements and standards described |
|
Hoi Fung Maid Agency |
Lai Chi Kok |
September 12, 2025 |
1) The service agreement signed with the domestic helper's employer did not include the Code of Practice some required items 2) The receipt provided to the domestic helper's employer was not included in the Code of Practice some required items |
|
HouseMate Center |
Causeway Bay |
June 27, 2025 |
1) Failure to provide payment receipts to the domestic helper's employer. 2) Failure to provide the domestic helper's employer with the original employment contract signed by both the employer and the job seeker. |
Note: The above information is based on publicly available data from March 2026 or earlier. The current status of all companies should be based on the official records of the Labour Department.
How to verify a hiring agent: 4 steps to confirm if the agent is licensed
Step 1: Go to Labour Department「Job placement agency website」
Step 2: Select ‘Employment Agency Information’ from the menu above and choose ‘Search for licensed employment agencies’.
Step 3: Provide 4 search methods:
-
List of all licensed employment agencies
List all licensed employment agencies
-
Search by letter
You can search for licensed employment agencies alphabetically. If the name is in Chinese, it will be listed in the ‘Others’ category.
-
Enter search criteria for a partition search.
Enter the Chinese/English name, phone number, type of employment agency, or region to search for licensed employment agencies.
-
Search by region
By selecting different areas on the map, all licensed employment agencies in that area will be displayed.
Step 4: Click ‘View Details’ in the name of the licensed employment agency. In addition to viewing basic information such as address, telephone number and email, you can also see whether the employment agency has ever been convicted of abusing commissions and has been given a written warning for violating the code of practice.
Precautions
-
If you cannot find the company name, or the information does not match the store's license number, you need to be extra careful, as it may be unlicensed, using a borrowed license, or have had its license revoked.
-
You can ask the intermediary to show a copy of the physical license and verify that the company name, address and license number match those on the government website.
-
If the domestic helper is a foreign national, you can check with the consulate or labor department of the country where the helper is from to see if she has a locally recognized license, so as to avoid losing protection due to this agency.
What can be done to discover intermediary violations?
If you suspect that an agency is operating without a license or providing false information, you should avoid signing a contract and immediately report it to the Labour Department report to protect yourself and your domestic helper. Furthermore, if you discover any irregularities by Hong Kong employment agencies (employment centers), such as excessive commission charges or false promises, you can follow these steps. Complaint the matter will be pursued together.
Complaint process
First, gather evidence (contracts, receipts, conversation records), then file a complaint with the Employment Service Center of the Labour Department.
Online complaints: through Labour Department website submit the form or call 2157 9537.
In person or in writing: Submit a report to the Labour Department office. The Labour Department will investigate and require the agent to respond, which may result in fines or license suspension.
Other methods
Consumer Council: If you suspect false advertising, please call 2929 2222 or visit online (consumer.org.hk) complaint.
Police report: For serious fraud such as illegal charges, report to 2527 7117 or go to the police station. It is a criminal offense and can be prosecuted.
Small Claims Tribunal: Recover the commission difference (maximum HK$75,000).
Precautions
Keep copies of all documents. If you file a complaint, the agency may take action against you (such as delaying your visa application). You can request the Labour Department to intervene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are employment centers that have received written warnings from the Labour Department ineligible for selection?
Employment centers that have received written warnings from the Labour Department are relatively high-risk, but this does not mean they will immediately cease operations. It is recommended to prioritize reputable agencies with a "zero record" of violations. If you must use one, at least make sure to sign a clear service agreement, receipt, and refund terms.
