A survey on the services and charges of recruitment agencies to hire foreign domestic helpers has been released by Consumer Council, detailed survey result can be found in the Council's latest issue no. 230 Consumer Report. The magazine also features an introduction of the origins of global and local consumer protection work. The first consumer protection organization was established in New York in 1891 and it aimed to promote the development of consumer protection work by 'maintaining price index'; other consumer organizations, such as Hong Kong Consumer Council, were also established at a later stage to respond to the need of society to counter inflation. Consumer protection work first appeared in Macao in 70s and the establishment of Macao Consumer Council later also bore the same background and vision. The latest Consumer Report gives a review on the history of global consumer protection movement in the past 100 years and elaborates the promulgation of consumer protection law in Macao, as well as the current work of Macao Consumer Council. According to statistics, there are over ten thousand foreign domestic helpers in Macao, therefore, recruitment agencies has become a main channel for consumers to hire domestic helpers. The Council conducted a survey on the services and charges of recruitment agencies to hire foreign domestic helpers earlier. Survey result shows that a general service fee of MOP500.00 to MOP1,000.00 is charged by recruitment agencies to hire foreign domestic helpers. Service areas such as guarantee period for replacing new hires or refund for service charges all differ for various recruitment agencies, consumers should compare the fees, service areas, as well as regulations of different agencies before commissioning any to hire foreign domestic helpers. The Council also reminds recruitment agencies to provide services according to the related laws and regulations in Macao and consumers should refuse any services or terms which go against the laws. Details of the mentioned survey can be found in this issue no. 230 Consumer Report. The current issue also features recent work of the Council and the promotion of 'Certified Shop' campaign in Guangdong province. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the office of Consumer Council (Rua Inácio Baptista, Nº 6-6A Edficio Seaview Garden R/C), and the service counter of Consumer Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the resources online on the Council's official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
