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A company director and two employers were fined $20,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistracy today (May 2), after being convicted of offences under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Cap. 485) (the "Ordinance").
The defendant, Cheng Kam Lik, director of Yan Luen Tsui Yuk Grass Company Limited (BR no.: 32206242), was charged for offences under section 7A(8) and section 44 of the Ordinance. The defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to make MPF contributions for his employee within the prescribed time for the contribution periods between May and July, 2004. The defendant was fined $6,000 for the first summons and $2,000 each for the other summonses, totalling $10,000.
For the case of Cheng Kam Lik trading as Yan Luen Fish Stall (BR no.: 34936360), the defendant pleaded guilty to an offence under section 7(1) of the Ordinance. The defendant was fined $6,000 for failing to enrol its employee in an MPF scheme as required by the Ordinance.
For the case of Hoi Fai Seafood Hot Pot Restaurant operated by China Smartly Limited (BR no.: 35314735) which was charged for an offence under section 7A(8) of the Ordinance, the defendant pleaded guilty to a count of failing to make MPF contributions within the prescribed time for the contribution period in January 2006. The defendant was fined $4,000 for the summons.
Meanwhile, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today pursued five claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $49,000 on behalf of 12 employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
At today's hearing, Slimone Company Limited, did not dispute the amounts claimed. The Adjudicator ordered it to pay the MPFA the sums of $8,317.57, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The other four defendants, Bonne Bonne Limited trading as C C Boy Contemporary Chiuchow Bistro, FLK Limited, Ko Star International Development Limited and BTC Company Limited did not appear. In their absence, the Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sums of $ 25,962.22, $11,321.53, $3,018.78 and $1,146.78, being mandatory contribution in arrears and surcharge payable.
The amounts awarded will be reimbursed to the employees' MPF accounts as soon as they are received by the MPFA. The court further awarded payments of $250,$120,$330,$220 and $190 as costs in respect of the claims.
Ends/Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:44
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