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The following is issued on behalf of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority:
The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today (November 9) obtained an order in the District Court for payment of outstanding MPF contributions of about $170,000 against an employer. Meanwhile, the MPFA pursued four claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $100,000 on behalf of 11 employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
The District Court today issued judgement against an employer, Sing Kwong Jewellery & Gold Company Limited. The defendant was ordered to pay the MPFA the sum of $174,263.23 being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable to 41 employees of the defendant.
Meanwhile, at the Tribunal's hearing today, the four defendants--World Trade PR & Promotion Limited (formerly known as World Trade Promotion Limited), Strong Base Engineering Limited, Cheung Chau Sea Dragon Tai Chung Kai To Co. Limited and Super Bond Engineering & Enterprise Limited--did not appear. In their absence, the Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sums of $35,750.18, $30,754.36, $28,554.93 and $6,907.26,being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The amounts 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 costs of $930 and the Tribunal ordered the respective defendants to pay $255, $110, $126 and $80 as the costs in respect of the claims.
Strong Base Engineering Limited and Super Bond Engineering & Enterprise Limited pleaded guilty previously at Kwun Tong Magistracy to 10 counts and 24 counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and were fined $28,500 and $21,600 respectively.
Ends/Friday, November 9, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:32
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