MPFA recovers MPF payment for 18 employees
******************************************

    The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today (May 25) pursued six claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $100,000 on behalf of 18 employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.

     At today's hearing, the defendant, Hin Sum Manpower Company Limited, did not dispute the amount claimed. The Adjudicator ordered it to pay the MPFA the sum of  $48,854.17, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.

     The other five defendants, including Dolly Communications Limited, True Light Civil Contractors Limited, Mission Advertising (Greater China) Limited, Leihop Industries Limited and Utec Limited, did not appear at today's hearing. In their absence, the Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sums of $19,944.91, $16,189.98, $14,967.66, $6,368.91 and $3,570, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges 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 $160, $340, $80, $300, $190 and $260 as the costs in respect of the claims.

     Hin Sum Manpower Company Limited and Utec Limited pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistracy earlier to eight counts and 12 counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and were fined $26,000 and $21,000 respectively.

Ends/Thursday, May 25, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:02

NNNN