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Kong Ying Leung trading as Shun Wing Meat Company was fined $5,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (December 29) for obstructing a labour inspector in the performance of his duty and failing to keep a record of employees at the place of employment. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.
A spokesman for the Labour Department reminded employers that labour inspectors are authorised under the Immigration Ordinance to enter places of employment to check records of employees and identification documents held by their employees.
Under Section 17M(3) of the Immigration Ordinance, anyone who obstructs a public officer in the execution of his duty under this provision is liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months.
Under Section 17K(1) and 17(M)(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, any employer who fails to keep a record of employees at the place of employment of each of his employees is liable to a fine of $50,000.
"Labour inspectors conduct frequent inspections of establishments to enforce labour laws and the Immigration Ordinance. The Labour Department takes a serious view of employers' compliance with these provisions and will prosecute offenders.
"We call upon employers to co-operate fully with our labour inspectors in discharging their duties and to keep records of employees at the place of employment of each of their employees," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, December 29, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:54
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