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A service industry employer was sentenced at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (January 9) to three months in jail, suspended for 12 months, 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 have to ensure that wages are paid to employees in accordance with the Employment Ordinance.
The employer failed to pay wages to an employee 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 over $960,000.
"The Labour Department does not tolerate wage offences and spares no effort in prosecuting employers who defy the law," the spokesman said.
Employees who are owed wages should call the Labour Department's complaint hotline, 2815 2200, immediately.
Ends/Monday, January 9, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:55
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