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The following is issued on behalf of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority:
The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today (December 17) pursued three claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $500,000 on behalf of 38 employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
The defendants, Man Cheong Construction Engineering Company Limited, Year Rich Limited and Sino Best Limited, did not appear at today's hearing. In their absence, the Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA $436,761.80, $35,760.72 and $28,452.35, 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 tribunal further ordered the respective defendants to pay costs of $1,380, $246 and $100.
Man Cheong Construction Engineering Company Limited and Year Rich Limited previously pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistracy to six counts and five counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and were fined $18,500 and $13,000 respectively.
Ends/Monday, December 17, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:10
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