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The employer of a foreign domestic helper was sentenced to 160 hours' community service at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (April 1) for underpaying wages to her helper. 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 $3,400 as set out in the employment contract signed by both parties in 2007. The total offence amount was $30,731.
According to sections 23 and 25 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due on expiry of the last day of the wage period and termination of employment shall 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.
The spokesman urged employees who were owed wages to call the department's complaints hotline on 2815 2200 immediately.
Ends/Thursday, April 1, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:40
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