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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 (January 8) pursued five claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $70,000 on behalf of seven employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
At the Tribunal's hearing today, the five defendants, including Gallantly Limited, Karison Limited, Nova Hong Kong Limited, Li Siu Yung trading as Yu Po Engineering Co and Honest League Limited formerly trading as Lai Chun Court Restaurant (translation), did not appear at today's hearing. In their absence, the Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sums of $43,011.55, $12,846.77, $10,510.36, $8,172 and $3,339, 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 Tribunal further ordered the respective defendants to pay $170, $232, $116, $140 and $100 as the costs in respect of the claims.
Gallantly Limited pleaded guilty previously at Kwun Tong Magistracy to 20 counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and was fined $33,500.
Ends/Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:13
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