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Mr Choy Chi-fung, trading as Elegant Sense Cafˆm, was fined $18,000 at the Shatin Magistrates' Courts today (February 29) for committing wage and holiday offences under the Employment Ordinance. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.
The employer failed to pay wages and annual leave pay to an employee within seven days after the termination of employment.
According to Section 25 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due upon termination of employment shall be paid as soon as practicable, but in any case not later than seven days. Any employer who fails to do so wilfully and without reasonable excuse is liable to a maximum fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
In addition, according to Section 41D(2) of the Employment Ordinance, annual leave pay due upon termination of employment shall be paid as soon as practicable, but in any case not later than seven days. Any employer who fails to do so without reasonable excuse is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000.
Employees who are owed wages or annual leave pay should immediately report to the Labour Department's complaint hotline at 2815 2200.
Ends/Friday, February 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:20
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