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An employer of a foreign domestic helper was fined $32,000 at the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts today (November 27) for a wage offence under the Employment Ordinance. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.
The employer failed to pay wages to the foreign domestic helper within seven days of the expiry of the wage period as required by the ordinance. The amount of wages involved was $11,000.
According to Section 23 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due upon expiry of the last day of the wage period 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.
Employees, including foreign domestic helpers, who are owed wages should immediately report it to the Labour Department's complaint hotline on 2815 2200.
Ends/Thursday, November 27, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:06
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