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The proprietor of a scaffolding contractor was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (September 7) for failing to take out insurance policies for his employee as required by the Employees' Compensation Ordinance.
The proprietor employed a scaffolding worker in September 2008 to carry out scaffolding work on Paterson Street, Causeway Bay. An industrial accident occurred when the employee dismantled the scaffold on September 5, 2008. The employee fractured his left forearm and pelvis on the left.
Section 40(1) of the ordinance stipulates that employers are required to take out insurance policies for all their employees to cover their liabilities both under the ordinance and at common law for injuries at work.
Employers failing to secure insurance cover for their employees commit an offence and are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years. They are also liable to pay a surcharge to the Employees Compensation Assistance Fund Board which imposes a levy on premiums paid on employees' compensation insurance policies.
Employees are urged to call the complaint hotline of the department's Labour Inspection Division on 2815 2200 if they suspect that their employers have not taken out insurance cover for them. All complaints will be handled in strict confidence.
Ends/Monday, September 7, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:33
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