The authorities in Shanghai will reveal regulations for matchmaking agencies starting next year to prevent cheating and fraud in the industry.
As part of a trial phase, the new requirements will include standards on registration of clients, advertisements, setting of appointments and professional training, said the city's Matchmaking Organization Administrative Association yesterday.
Figures from the association show there are about 120 matchmaking agencies in the city, but due to a lack of industry standards, many customers claim to have been cheated.
For example, one way unscrupulous agencies are known to fleece clients is by arranging meetings with multiple potential partners. As clients have to pay for each meeting, the more people agencies introduce, the more money they make.
In addition, some dubious agencies have been accused of arranging meetings with employed stooges rather than with genuine potential partners.
The new regulations stipulate that agencies will no longer be allowed to arrange more than two appointments for the same client in a single day.
It also says information about people advertised by the agencies must also be genuine.
If there is any discrepancy between the content of an advertisement and a person's real identity, clients are entitled to a refund of any fees paid to the agency.
The association also said matchmakers must go through professional training and be certified.
Staff at matchmaking agencies will have to sign labor contracts with employers and register their names with the association, as well as maintain a personal credit file that records their previous work experience.
（英语点津 Celene 编辑）
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Bernice Chan is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Bernice has written for newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and most recently worked as a broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, producing current affairs shows and documentaries.
