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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 (February 14) obtained an order in the District Court against an employer for payment of outstanding MPF contributions at about $160,000. The MPFA also pursued three claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $80,000 on behalf of 12 employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
The District Court issued a judgment against Best Lines Limited. The defendant was ordered to pay the MPFA $167,564.22, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable to nine employees of the defendant.
At the tribunal's hearing, Golden Pearl Pacific Limited, did not dispute the amount claimed and was ordered to pay the MPFA $29,205, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The other two defendants, Compact Building Materials Company Limited and Golden Swan Food Court Limited, did not appear and in their absence were ordered them to pay the MPFA $49,612.5 and $2,515.44, 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 ordered the defendants to pay costs of $930 and the Tribunal ordered the respective defendants to pay costs of $126, $175 and $116.
Compact Building Materials Company Limited previously pleaded guilty to five counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and was fined $16,000.
Ends/Thursday, February 14, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:56
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