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An employer in the construction industry was fined $100,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (May 6) for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance. The employer was also ordered to clear the outstanding wages via the court. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.
The employer failed to pay wages to five employees within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods and after the termination of their employment contracts as required by the ordinance.
According to Section 23 and 25 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due upon expiry of the last day of the wage periods or upon 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.
Employees who are owed wages should immediately report it to the Labour Department's complaint hotline at 2815 2200.
Ends/Thursday, May 6, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:34
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