DUTIES OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES

Employment agencies have certain obligations under the law with regard to placement of minors on jobs. They may not refer minors to any job if the employment violates the provisions of the Labor Law or Education Law pertaining to employment of minors. They may not refer minors, or anyone else, to jobs paying less than the prescribed Federal or State minimum wage. They may not recruit out-of-state minors under l8 years of age for placement in domestic employment.

Employment agencies must be licensed. State law fixes the maximum fee that an employment agency may charge a job applicant. The law also prohibits agencies from misrepresenting jobs.

The Employment Agency Law (Article 11, General Business Law), which regulates the activities of employment agencies, is administered by the Department of Labor through out the state except in New York City, where enforcement is the responsibility of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs.

The Labor Department is authorized to enforce the law prohibiting an employment agency from illegally referring a minor to a job or referring any person to a job paying less than the applicable state minimum wage.