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The sole proprietor of Shui Cheong Decoration Engineering Co. was sentenced to 160 hours' community service today (May 27) at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance. 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.
The employer failed to pay wages to four employees within seven days after the expiry of wage periods and termination of employment as required by the ordinance. The total amount of wages involved was about $70,000.
According to Sections 23 and 25 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due upon expiry of wage periods and 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 commits an offence and 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/Thursday, May 27, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:35
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