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Three employers were fined a total of $89,500 in court today (October 26) for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance. The prosecutions were launched by the Labour Department.
Hang Kei Polyfield Industrial Limited and a life guarding service company, HKPRO Services Company Limited, were fined $40,000 and $16,000 respectively for failing to pay wages to their employees within seven days of the expiry of the wage period and the termination of employment.
In addition to paying the fines, the employer of Hang Kei Polyfield Industrial Limited was ordered to clear the outstanding wages via court.
In another case, Mr Chan Wing-king trading as Sun Wing Lee Transportation Company was fined $33,500 for failing to pay wages to its employees within seven days of the expiry of the wage period.
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 $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
The Labour Department urged employees who are owed wages to immediately report to call its complaint hotline on 2815 2200.
Ends/Thursday, October 26, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:30
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