***********************************************************
An employer of a foreign domestic helper was sentenced to 80 hours' community service by the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts today (March 26) for underpaying wages to her foreign domestic helper. She was also ordered by the court to clear the outstanding wages. The prosecution was initiated by the Labour Department.
During the employment of the foreign domestic helper, the employer failed to pay wages according to the minimum allowable wage of $3,480 as set out in the employment contract signed by both parties in 2008. The total offence amount was $13,400.
According to section 23 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due upon expiry of the last day of the wage period shall be paid as soon as practicable, but not later than seven days. Any employer who fails to do so willfully and without reasonable excuse is liable to a maximum fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
"The judgment will send a strong message to employers that they have to ensure that wages are paid to employees in accordance with the Employment Ordinance. The Labour Department does not tolerate wage offences and spares no effort in prosecuting employers who defy the law," a spokesman for the Labour Department said.
The spokesman urged employees who are owed wages to call the department's complaints hotline on 2815 2200 immediately.
Ends/Friday, March 26, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:08
NNNN
