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Mr Lau Chung Yee trading as Professional Engineering Company was fined $12,000 at the Sha Tin Magistrates' Courts today (May 23) for a wage offence under the Employment Ordinance. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.
The employer failed to pay about $7,400 in wages to an employee within seven days after the termination of employment. In addition to paying the fine, the employer was ordered to clear the outstanding wages via court.
According to Section 25 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due on termination of employment must be paid as soon as practicable, but 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.
The Labour Department urged employees who are owed wages to immediately report to its complaint hotline on 2815 2200.
Ends/Friday, May 23, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:06
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