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The employer of a foreign domestic helper was sentenced to 80 hours' community service order at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (November 30) for underpaying wages to his foreign domestic helper. The prosecution was initiated by the Labour Department.
A spokesman for the Labour Department said that the judgement would send a strong message to employers that they had to ensure that wages were paid to employees in accordance with the Employment Ordinance.
During the employment of the foreign domestic helper, the employer failed to pay wages according to the minimum allowable wage of $3,580 as set out in the employment contract signed by both parties in 2008. The offence amounted to about $23,000 in total.
According to section 23 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due upon expiry of the last day of the wage period 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 does not tolerate wage offences and spares no effort in prosecuting employers who defy the law," the spokesman said.
Employees, including foreign domestic helpers, who are owed wages should call the Labour Department's complaint hotline on 2815 2200 immediately.
Ends/Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:01
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