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Employer given community service for not insuring employee
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     The proprietor of demolition contractor was sentenced to 120 hours' community service order and was fined $2,000 at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (March 14) for failing to take out an insurance policy for his employee as required by the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (the Ordinance).

     The proprietor employed a demolition worker to carry out demolition work.  On May 9, 2009, an industrial accident occurred at a worksite at Kam Fong Street, Mongkok.  The employee sustained injuries to his face, upper chest and right hip.  It was found that the employer had failed to secure an insurance policy for the worker and the Labour Department launched a prosecution.

     Section 40(1) of the Ordinance stipulates that employers are required to take out insurance policies for all their employees to cover their liabilities both under the Ordinance and at common law for injuries at work.

     Employers failing to secure insurance cover for their employees commit an offence and are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.  They are also liable to pay a surcharge to the Employees Compensation Assistance Fund Board which imposes a levy on premium paid on employees' compensation insurance policies.

     Employees are urged to call the complaints hotline of the Department's Labour Inspection Division on 2815 2200 if they suspect that their employers have not taken out insurance cover for them. All complaints will be handled in strict confidence.

Ends/Monday, March 14, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:07

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