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An employer, Ms Luk Kwai-lan, was fined $42,000 at the Shatin Magistrates' Courts today (December 14) for wage payment offences under the Employment Ordinance. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department. In addition to the fines, the employer was ordered to clear the outstanding wages via court.
The employer failed to pay wages to a foreign domestic helper within seven days of the expiry of the wage period and the termination of employment.
Section 23 and 25 of the Employment Ordinance says that wages due upon expiry of the last day of the wage period or upon termination of employment should be paid as soon as practicable, but not later than seven days. Failure to do so could mean a maximum fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
Employees who are owed wages should immediately report to the Labour Department's complaints hotline on 2815 2200.
Ends/Friday, December 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:53
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