****************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority:
The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today (January 21) pursued two claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $27,000 on behalf of four employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
At the tribunal's hearing today, one of the defendants, Gold Sea Engineering Limited, did not dispute the amount claimed. The adjudicator ordered it to pay the MPFA the sum of $9,936.49, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The other defendant, Pershing Company Limited, did not appear at today's hearing. In its absence, the adjudicator ordered it to pay the MPFA the sum of $17,279.33, 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 adjudicator further ordered the respective defendants to pay $166 and $206 as the costs in respect of the claims.
Gold Sea Engineering Limited pleaded guilty previously at Kwun Tong Magistracy to eight counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and was fined $24,000.
Ends/Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:56
NNNN