Employer fined for wage offences
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     Hong Kong Airlines Limited was fined $24,000 at Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts today (January 28) for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance.  The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.

     The employer failed to pay wages to an employee within seven days after the expiry of the wage period and after termination of employment as required by the ordinance.

     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.

     Employees who are owed wages should immediately report to the Labour Department's complaint hotline on 2815 2200.

Ends/Thursday, January 28, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:19

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