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Two directors of Fairtol Industrial Limited committed offences relating to wage payment and defaulting on payment of an award by the Labour Tribunal under the Employment Ordinance. The two directors were each sentenced today (January 23) at Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts to 150 hours of community service. The two directors were also ordered to clear the sum awarded by the Labour Tribunal via the court. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.
The company failed to pay wages and wages in lieu of notice to one employee within seven days after the expiry of wage periods and termination of employment as required by the Employment Ordinance. The Labour Tribunal issued an award on June 13, 2012 and ordered the company to pay the outstanding wages and other sums to the employee. The company defaulted on payment of the award. The outstanding sum awarded was about $280,000. The two directors were convicted for their consent, connivance or neglect in the offences.
"The judgment would send a strong message to all companies and their directors or responsible persons that they have to ensure that wages are paid to employees in accordance with the Employment Ordinance and award are paid according to the terms of the award issued by the Labour Tribunal or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board," a spokesman for the Labour Department said.
"The Labour Department will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in bringing to justice directors and employers who defy the law," the spokesman added.
Ends/Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:44
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