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The following is issued on behalf of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority:
A company director and two employers were fined $68,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistracy today (July 7), after being convicted of offences under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance.
Winny Wong Hei Yu, director of Pacific Wide Holdings Limited trading as Spa Sensations, was charged for offences under section 7A(8) and section 44 of the ordinance. The defendant pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to make MPF contributions for an employee within the prescribed time for the contribution period between July and August 2007. The defendant was fined $5,000 for each summons, totalling $10,000.
Luen Kwong Electrical Engineering Co Ltd was charged for an offence under section 7A(8) of the ordinance. The defendant pleaded guilty to 18 counts of failing to make MPF contributions for its employee within the prescribed time for the contribution periods between April 2005 and September 2006. The defendant was fined $8,000 for the first summons and $2,000 each for the remaining summonses, totalling $42,000.
Wah Fai Logistics Limited was charged for an offence under section 7A(8) of the ordinance. The defendant pleaded guilty to six counts of failing to make MPF contributions for its employees within the prescribed time for the contribution periods between June and August 2007. The defendant was fined $6,000 for the first summons and $2,000 each for the remaining summonses, totalling $16,000.
The MPFA today also pursued three claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $100,000 on behalf of 12 employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
At the tribunal's hearing today, the defendant, Million Profit (China) Limited trading as Royal Plaza Court Seafood Restaurant, did not dispute two claims on behalf of 10 employees. The adjudicator ordered it to pay the MPFA the sum of $52,025.18, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The other defendant, Szu Long Limited trading as Ho Yuen Restaurant, did not appear at today's hearing. In its absence, the adjudicator ordered it to pay the MPFA the sum of $48,028.78, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The amounts awarded at the tribunal 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 $346 and $160 as the costs in respect of the claims.
Million Profit (China) Limited trading as Royal Plaza Court Seafood Restaurant pleaded guilty previously at Kwun Tong Magistracy to eight counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and was fined $23,500.
Ends/Monday, July 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:20
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