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The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today (September 6) pursued nine claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $160,000 on behalf of 39 employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
At today's hearing, Court Jonathan William trading as Linbeck & Rausch (HK) Lighting Consultants and Dragon Empire Limited trading as Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant, did not dispute the amounts claimed. The Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sums of $11,603.02 and $11,473.42, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The other seven defendants, Active Gainer Limited, Fore Leader Limited trading as Luxuriant Seafood Restaurant, Genesis Engineering Company Limited, Hung Siu Ying formerly trading as American Dry Clean Co, Dickson Construction Company Limited, The Park Language Group Limited and Good Source International Enterprise Limited, did not appear at today's hearing. In their absence, the Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sums of $40,034.16, $38,368.39, $19,273.92, $13,706.26, $12,902.6, $10,316.25 and $601.39, 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 court further awarded payments of $150, $240, $270, $180, $130, $170, $460, $150 and $360 as the costs in respect of the claims.
Dickson Construction Company Limited and The Park Language Group Limited pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistracy earlier to 7 and 14 counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and were fined $20,000 and $18,000 respectively.
Ends/Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:21
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