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Mr Chow Shuk-nam trading as Yue Hong Engineering Company and Mr Yen Ming, operator of a canteen, were fined $28,000 and $11,000 respectively at the Kwun Tong and Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts today (January 26) for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance. The prosecutions were launched by the Labour Department.
Mr Chow failed to pay wages of about $104,000 to two employees within seven days of the expiry of the wage period and the termination of employment. Mr Yen failed to pay wages of about $59,000 to three employees. In addition to paying the fines, both employers were ordered to clear the outstanding wages via court.
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.
Ends/Thursday, January 26, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:39
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