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A construction sub-contractor, Mr Wong Ka-kui, has been fined $18,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court for committing wage offences under the Employment Ordinance (EO) in a prosecution launched by the Labour Department.

The employer failed to pay wages to five employees within seven days of the termination of employment as required by the ordinance. The total amount of wages involved was $42,000. In addition to paying the fines, the employer was ordered to clear the outstanding wages to the employees via the court.

According to Section 25 of the ordinance, wages due 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 $200,000 and imprisonment for one year.

Ends/Sunday, December 19, 2004

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