************************************************
Two employers were fined $37,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistracy today (February 6), after being convicted of offences under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Cap. 485) (the "Ordinance").
For the case of Samlane Development Limited which committed the offences under section 7A(8) of the Ordinance, the defendant pleaded guilty to 13 counts of failing to make MPF contributions within the prescribed time for the contribution periods between April, 2004, and April, 2005. The defendant was fined $7,000 for the first summons and $2,000 each for the other 12 summonses, totalling $31,000.
For the case of Underwriter Security Limited which committed the offences under section 7A(8) of the Ordinance, the defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to make MPF contributions within the prescribed time for the contribution periods between August and October, 2005. The defendant was fined $4,000 for the first summons and $1,000 each for the other two summonses, totalling $6,000.
Meanwhile, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today pursued one claim in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $13,000 on behalf of one employee, who was owed MPF contributions by his employer.
At today's hearing, the defendant, Look-in Construction Engineering Company Limited, did not dispute the amount claimed. The Adjudicator ordered it to pay the MPFA the sum of $13,072.50, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The amount awarded will be reimbursed to the employee's MPF account as soon as it is received by the MPFA. The court further awarded payment of $220 as the cost of the claim.
Ends/Monday, February 6, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:30
NNNN