********************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority:
The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today (26 October) obtained an order for payment of outstanding MPF contributions at about $120,000 against an employer in the District Court. Meanwhile, the MPFA pursued one claim in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $20,000 on behalf of three employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employer.
The District Court today issued a judgment against an employer, namely, In-Tech Lighting Limited. The defendant was ordered to pay the MPFA the sum of $119,501.53, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable to 19 employees of the defendant.
Meanwhile, at the Tribunal's hearing today, the defendant, Erawan Company Limited, did not appear. In its absence, the Adjudicator ordered it to pay the MPFA the sum of $20,285.85,being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The amounts both awarded at the District Court and the Tribunal will be reimbursed to the employees' MPF accounts as soon as they are received by the MPFA. The District Court further ordered the defendant to pay cost of $930 and the Tribunal ordered the defendant to pay $120 as cost in respect of the claim.
Erawan Company Limited pleaded guilty earlier at Kwun Tong Magistracy to seven counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and was fined $20,000.
Ends/Friday, October 26, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:37
NNNN
