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Hoi On Security Company Limited was today (June 25) fined $15,000 at Kowloon City Magistrates' Court and Jang Seng International Fashion Limited was fined $13,000 at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance. The prosecutions were taken out by the Labour Department.
Hoi On Security Company Limited failed to pay wages to an employee within seven days of the expiry of the wage period as required by the ordinance.
Jang Seng International Fashion Limited failed to pay wages to an employee within seven days of the expiry of the wage period and the termination of employment. In addition to paying the fines, the company was ordered to clear the outstanding wages to the employee concerned via court.
According to Section 23 and 25 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due upon expiry of the last day of the wage period or upon termination of employment shall be paid as soon as practicable, but not later than seven days.
Any employer who fails to do so wilfully and without reasonable excuse is liable to a maximum fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
The Labour Department urged employees who are owed wages to call its complaint hotline, 2815 2200 immediately.
Ends/Monday, June 25, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:45
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