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The person-in-charge of Success Tech Investment Limited was sentenced to four months' jail, suspended for 18 months, today (May 14) at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance. He was also ordered to clear the outstanding wages via the court. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.
A spokesman for the Labour Department said that the judgment would send a strong message to employers that they had to ensure that wages were paid to employees in accordance with the Employment Ordinance. "This is the third time this year that jail sentences have been imposed on employers or directors of limited companies for committing wage offences. It shows that the courts are attaching more importance to such offences. Employers should not defy the law," the spokesman said.
The employer failed to pay wages to five employees within seven days after the termination of employment as required by the Employment Ordinance. The total amount of wages involved in this case was about $177,000.
According to Section 25 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due upon termination of employment shall be paid as soon as practicable, but not later than seven days thereafter. 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 Labour Department does not tolerate wage offences and spares no effort in prosecuting employers and directors or responsible persons of limited companies who defy the law," the spokesman said.
Employees who are owed wages should call the Labour Department's complaint hotline, 2815 2200, immediately.
Ends/Friday, May 14, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:30
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