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The following is issued on behalf of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority:
The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today (April 21) obtained one order in the District Court for payment of outstanding MPF contributions at about $60,000 against an employer. Meanwhile, the MPFA pursued one claim in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $43,000 on behalf of nine employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employer.
The District Court today issued judgment against one employer, Best Smoothness Investment Limited trading as Lung Hin Court Hot Pot Seafood Restaurant (translation). The defendant was ordered to pay the MPFA the sum of $60,162.89, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable to 24 employees of the defendant.
Meanwhile, at the tribunal's hearing today, the defendant, Waheungai Company Limited, did not appear. In its absence, the adjudicator ordered it to pay the MPFA the sum of $43,653.77, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The amounts both awarded at 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 defendant to pay costs of $930. The tribunal ordered the defendant to pay $160 as the costs in respect of the claim.
Waheungai Company Limited pleaded guilty previously at Kwun Tong Magistracy to five counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and was fined $12,000.
Ends/Monday, April 21, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:28
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