Hong Kong – Employment agency convicted of attempting to overcharge foreign domestic helper

Mar 19, 2024 | International

Employment agency convicted of attempting to overcharge foreign domestic helper

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     A licensee and an associate of the licensee of an employment agency (EA) were convicted of attempting to overcharge a foreign domestic helper (FDH) and fined a total of $16,000 at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (March 18) for violation of the Employment Ordinance and the Crimes Ordinance.   
      
     In September 2022, the Labour Department (LD) received a complaint from an FDH against Saiko Hong, located in Sheung Wan, for charging her an excessive commission. As the investigation revealed sufficient evidence that the licensee of the EA concerned and the associate of the licensee had attempted to overcharge the FDH, the LD decided to prosecute.
      
     Under the Employment Ordinance, an EA licensee or his/her associate, or a person purporting to act in such capacities, is not allowed to collect from a job seeker any fees or charges other than the prescribed commission, which is an amount not exceeding 10 per cent of the first month’s salary of the job seeker upon successful placement.
      
     The LD reminds EAs to operate in full compliance with the law as well as the Code of Practice for EAs at all times. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution and/or revocation of the EA’s licence. The maximum penalties for the offences of unlicensed operation of an EA or overcharging commission from job seekers are a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
      
     Should there be enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints about malpractices of EAs, please contact the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD by calling 2115 3667, e-mailing ea-ee@labour.gov.hk, or visiting its office at Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon.

Seiffert Insurance Agency Joins Valley Insurance Agency Alliance

Oct 20, 2023 | Business

 Seiffert Insurance Agency recently joined Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a cohesive family of more than 160 independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois.

Founded in 2023, Seiffert Insurance Agency was created by owner Anthony Seiffert, who has seven years of insurance industry experience. The full-service agency is located at 4031 Riverdell Dr. in Wentzville, Mo. Seiffert Insurance Agency specializes in home, auto and life insurance.

“Valley Insurance Agency Alliance provides great value to my agency,” said Seiffert Insurance Agency owner Anthony Seiffert. “VIAA has relationships with carriers that I would never be able to create without their help, and these partnerships will give me the opportunity to build a strong business.”

Founded in 2006, Valley Insurance Agency Alliance generates more than $600 million in written premium and is the regional founding member SIAA – The Agent Alliance, a $12.5 billion national insurance network.

For more information about Seiffert Insurance Agency, call (636) 489-0449.

Valley Insurance Agency Alliance
Rochelle Brandvein
(314) 725-1414
www.viaa4u.com

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  • Personnel Announcements

Travel Agency Owner and Private Travel Consultant Karan Morrow Becomes Certified AlUla (Saudi Arabia) Specialist

Sep 15, 2023 | Business

 Karan Morrow, Owner and Private Travel Consultant with Where2Next? Travel, LLC, recently received specialist certification from Experience AlUla (www.experiencealula.com). To earn the distinction, Morrow participated in Experience AlUla’s (North America) in-depth online five (5) module certification program.

Through the program, travel advisors gain knowledge to sell this new destination in Saudi Arabia with its incredible heritage, nature, adventure, arts and culture experiences, and more.

For 200,000 years, AlUla in the northwest of Saudi Arabia has attracted ancient civilizations and pilgrims who came to take advantage of the abundant resources offered by its fertile oases. Today, AlUla is an eloquent symbol of a great heritage. This largely undiscovered region holds a timeless mystery, from its human history to its incredible array of natural wonders, including dramatic rock formation, sand-swept dunes and archeological ruins as well as a green, lush oasis that traces the lives of the ancient civilizations who built their cities here.

Morrow has worked as a travel advisor for sixteen (16) years, specializing in private, custom luxury individual and small group travel and is a member of the American Society of Travel Professionals (ASTA) and the Association of Black Travel Professionals (ABTP), and is certified by the International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN). Morrow’s luxury clients have been on travel experiences all over the world, including the United States, Europe, Africa, Central America, Russia and the Middle East.

“Through Experience AlUla’s course, I found some very valuable new ways to serve the needs of my clients in a new and burgeoning destination,” said Morrow. “The population, as well as the travel industry itself, has undergone major changes in the past few years, with new destinations rapidly rising. By completing this program, I have the ability to stay on the cutting edge of these changes, and create opportunities for my clients.”

To book a luxury journey to Saudi Arabia or any other destination, contact Morrow at www.where2nexttravel.co or luxury@where2nexttravel.co. For more information about Experience AlUla’s certification program, go to https://us.alulaspecialist.com/.

About Experience AlUla
Experience AlUla provides valued trade partners with useful resources, including sales tools such as fact sheets, FAQs, itinerary suggestions, downloadable brochures and images to share with clients. Their online training program and portal have been designed to provide travel industry professionals with the knowledge and confidence to sell the unique destinations of AlUla and Saudi Arabia and become part of the journey.

Connect with Experience AlUla
AlUla General information and trade inquiries: alula@advocatetravel.com

AlUla USA Office, represented by Advocate Travel Marketing
1230 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 140
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 USA

Where2Next? Travel, LLC
Karan Morrow
470-480-9007
https://www.where2nexttravel.co

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C Williams Insurance Agency Joins Valley Insurance Agency Alliance

Aug 16, 2023 | Business

 C Williams Insurance Agency recently joined Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a cohesive family of more than 160 independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois.

Founded in 2023, C Williams Insurance Agency was created by owner Chad Williams. The full-service agency, which is located at 4409 Meramec Bottom Road, specializes in personal and commercial insurance.

Williams has 12 years of experience in the insurance industry. He began his career as a sales representative with State Farm Insurance and, after seven years, Williams purchased a Farmers Insurance agency. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Columbia, Mo.

“I joined Valley Insurance Agency Alliance to better serve my clients thanks to their extensive knowledge and experience,” said C Williams Insurance Agency owner Chad Williams. “The alliance provides my clients with additional options for carriers, which is essential in this industry’s constantly changing landscape.” Williams added that “working with a local group like the alliance was very important to me as a business owner, and I look forward to growing my agency with their support.”

Founded in 2006, Valley Insurance Agency Alliance generates more than $600 million in written premium and is the regional founding member for SIAA – The Agent Alliance, a $12.5 billion national insurance network.

For more information about C Williams Insurance Agency, call (314) 887-4776.

Valley Insurance Agency Alliance
Rochelle Brandvein
(314) 725-1414
www.viaa4u.com

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  • Business

Van De Mark Agency Announces New Financial Service to Help Business Owners Claim Accurate Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)

May 2, 2023 | Business

 Van De Mark Agency, a leading financial services advisor, is pleased to announce a new financial service designed to help business owners accurately claim the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). This service will provide a specialized team of CPAs to maximize the ERTC claim, which will provide a much-needed influx of cash for businesses experiencing a slowdown in revenue due to inflation and a slowing business cycle.

The ERTC was introduced as part of the CARES Act in 2020 to provide relief for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The credit is available to businesses that retained their employees during the pandemic, and it can be a valuable source of cash for businesses struggling with reduced revenue. However, many businesses have not been able to claim the full credit due to the complexity of the rules and the requirements for documentation.

Van De Mark Agency’s new service will provide a team of experienced CPAs who will help business owners accurately calculate and claim the ERTC. The service is different from others in the market, as it focuses on maximizing the claim by providing a team of CPAs who specialize in ERTC. The team will work closely with business owners to ensure that all necessary documentation is provided and that the claim is accurate.

According to Van De Mark Agency’s data, the average refund for businesses claiming the ERTC is $150,000, but depending on the number of W-2 employees, the refund can be in the millions of dollars. With the new service, business owners can expect to receive the maximum amount of cash available under the ERTC program.

“We understand that many businesses are struggling with reduced revenue due to inflation and a slowing business cycle,” said Marquis Van De Mark, CEO of Van De Mark Agency Ltd. “We want to help these businesses get the cash they need to survive and thrive. Our new service will provide a specialized team of CPAs who will help business owners accurately calculate and claim the ERTC. This will provide a much-needed influx of cash that can be used to cover operating expenses, pay employees, and invest in the business.”

Interested parties can download the ERTC Ultimate Guide from our website or contact Marquis Van De Mark, the CEO of Van De Mark Agency Ltd. on LinkedIn at Van De Mark Agency Ltd. Our team of CPAs is ready to help businesses claim the maximum amount of cash available under the ERTC program.

About Van De Mark Agency
Van De Mark Agency is a leading financial services advisor that helps businesses and individuals achieve their financial goals. Our team of experienced professionals provides a wide range of services, including tax planning, retirement planning, and investment management. We are committed to providing personalized service and innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients.

For more information, please contact:
Marquis Van De Mark, CEO, Van De Mark Agency Ltd., Westerville, Ohio, 614-394-9544 marquis@vandemarkagency.com, https://ApplyERTCToday.com

Van De Mark Agency Ltd.
Marquis Van De Mark
614-394-9544
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marquisvandemark/

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  • Accounting & Taxes