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The following is issued on behalf of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority:
Two company directors and two employers were fined $72,700 at the Kwun Tong Magistracy today (March 3), after being convicted of offences under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Cap. 485).
Grace Kwok Wai Mun, director of Central Digital Photo Finishing Centre operated by Crystal View Consultants Limited (BR no.: 13603580), was charged for offences under section 7A(8) and section 44 of the ordinance. The defendant pleaded guilty to 12 counts of failing to make MPF contributions for an employee within the prescribed time for the contribution period in April 2005 and March 2006. The defendant was fined $6,000 for the first summons and $1,200 each for the remaining summonses, totalling $19,200.
David Kam Yat Ming, director of King Interior Design Limited (BR no.: 34773491), was charged for offences under section 7A(8) and section 44 of the ordinance. The defendant pleaded guilty to four counts of failing to make MPF contributions for an employee within the prescribed time for the contribution period in April and July 2007. The defendant was fined $6,000 for the first summons and $3,000 each for the remaining summonses, totalling $15,000.
Wong Suk Ling trading as Grands Way Trading Company (BR no.: 34395970) pleaded guilty to an offence under section 7(1) of the ordinance. The defendant was fined $10,000 for the summons for failing to enrol an employee in an MPF scheme as required by the ordinance.
New South East Development Limited (BR no.: 33833767) was charged for an offence under section 7A(8) of the ordinance. The defendant pleaded guilty to 10 counts of failing to make MPF contributions for its employee within the prescribed time for the contribution periods between August 2006 and May 2007. The defendant was fined $6,000 for the first summons and $2,500 each for the remaining summonses, totalling $28,500.
Meanwhile, the MPFA today obtained two orders in the District Court for payment of outstanding MPF contributions at about $310,000 against two employers.
The District Court issued judgements against the two employers, namely, Jetgo Engineering Company Limited and Strong Base Engineering Limited. The defendants were ordered to pay the MPFA the sums of $219,886.35 and $93,136.58, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable to seven and 16 employees of the defendants respectively.
The MPFA today also pursued three claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $90,000 on behalf of eight employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
At the tribunal¡¯s hearing today, one of the defendants, Hui Kin Shing trading as Golden Fields Advertising Ornaments Manufactory, did not dispute the amount claimed. The adjudicator ordered him to pay the MPFA the sum of $47,670, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The other two defendants, namely Spirit of America Limited and Sun Wong Restaurant Limited, did not appear at today¡¯s hearing. In their absence, the adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sums of $42,190.72 and $3,139, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The amounts awarded at both the District Court and the tribunal will be reimbursed to the employees¡¯ MPF accounts as soon as they are received by the MPFA. The District Court ordered the defendants each to pay costs of $930 and the tribunal further ordered the respective defendants to pay $230, $176 and $130 as the costs in respect of the claims.
Ends/Monday, March 3, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:47
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