*************************************
The Media Evangelism Limited and Excellent Porcelain Company Limited were fined $14,000 and $10,000 respectively at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (March 23) for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance. The prosecutions were launched by the Labour Department.
The Media Evangelism Limited failed to pay wages to an employee within seven days of the expiry of the wage period as required by the ordinance. The amount of wages involved was about $19,900.
Excellent Porcelain Company Limited failed to pay wages to an employee within seven days of the expiry of the wage period and the termination of employment. The amount of wages involved was $36,000.
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 $200,000 and imprisonment for one year.
The Labour Department urged employees who are owed wages to immediately report to its complaint hotline on 2815 2200.
Ends/Thursday, March 23, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:37
NNNN