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The following is issued on behalf of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority:
An officer and four employers were fined $111,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistracy today (November 3), after being convicted of offences under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Cap. 485).
Wong Yuen Ming, Officer of Wah Tai Farm Company Limited was charged under section 7A(8) and section 44 of the ordinance and pleaded guilty to 40 counts of failing to make MPF contributions for four employees within the prescribed time for the contribution period between December 2007 and September 2008. The defendant was fined $1,000 for each summons, totalling $40,000.
Wah Tai Farm Company Limited was also charged under section 7A(8) of the ordinance. The defendant pleaded guilty to 40 counts of failing to make MPF contributions for four employees within the prescribed time for the contribution period between February and November 2007. The defendant was fined $1,000 for each summons, totalling $40,000.
Kong Hing Transportation Company Limited was charged under section 7A(8) of the ordinance and pleaded guilty to seven counts of failing to make MPF contributions for an employee within the prescribed time for the contribution periods between September and November 2008 as well as February and May 2009. The defendant was fined $2,000 for each summons, totalling $14,000.
Li Sau Kuen trading as Chit Tat Transportation Co was charged under section 7(1A)(b) of the ordinance and fined $14,000 for failing to enrol an employee in an MPF scheme.
Great Famous Technology Limited was charged under section 7(1) of the ordinance and was fined $3,000 for failing to enrol an employee in an MPF scheme.
The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today pursued two claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for about $20,000 on behalf of two employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
Legacy Engineering (Maintenance) Company Limited and Healing Hands Yoga Massage & Spa Limited, did not appear and in their absence were ordered to pay the MPFA $13,864.29 and $6,212.56 respectively, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The amounts awarded 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 costs of $136 and $152.
Healing Hands Yoga Massage & Spa Limited was previously fined $5,000 on five counts of failing to make MPF contributions for an employee who was not a member of registered scheme.
Ends/Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:56
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