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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 (June 12) obtained an order in the District Court against an employer for payment of outstanding MPF contributions at about $270,000. The MPFA also pursued six claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for about $86,000 on behalf of 10 employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
The District Court today issued judgement against Chung Kwong Development Limited Trading as Choi Ming Restaurant. The defendant was ordered to pay the MPFA $279,641.18, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable to 38 employees of the defendant.
At the tribunal's hearing, one defendant, Gold Sea Engineering Limited, did not dispute the amount claimed. The Adjudicator ordered it to pay the MPFA $29,535.12, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The other five defendants, Szu Long Limited trading as Ho Yuen Restaurant, Cheung Chau Sea Dragon Tai Chung Kai To Co. Limited, Best Smoothness Investment Limited trading as Lung Hin Court Hotpot Seafood Restaurant (translation), Great Step Industrial Limited trading as The Friar Tuck Bar & Restaurant and Ma Hon Ming Raymond trading as Zoe and Co, did not appear. In their absence, the Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA $38,902.50, $8,431.50, $6,138.10, $2,954.44 and $187.05, 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 defendant to pay costs of $930. The tribunal ordered the respective defendants to pay costs of $126, $236, $188, $239, $156 and $40.
Gold Sea Engineering Limited was previously fined a total of $24,000 on eight counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time.
Ends/Thursday, June 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:22
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