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Helper's employer fined and sentenced to imprisonment for wage offences
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     The employer of a foreign domestic helper was sentenced to 2 months' imprisonment, suspended for 2 years, in addition to a fine of $4,400 today (May 15) at Sha Tin Magistrates' Courts for underpayment of wages to his helper.  The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.
 
     The Labour Department welcomes the court sentence. This is the second case this year in which an employer or a company's responsible person was sentenced to imprisonment due to wage offences.

     The employer failed to pay wages according to the minimum allowable wage of $3,580 as set out in the employment contract signed by both parties in 2010.  The total amount underpaid was $29,760. The underpayment had been cleared subsequently.

     "Employers of foreign domestic helpers should not pay their helpers below the minimum allowable wage stipulated by the Government.   The Labour Department does not tolerate wage offences and spares no efforts in prosecuting employers who defy the law," a spokesperson for the Labour Department said.

     The minimum allowable wage for employment contracts for foreign domestic helpers signed on or after October 1, 2013 is $4,010 per month.

     Labour Department will continue to safeguard the statutory employment rights and benefits of all local and imported workers in Hong Kong.  The spokesperson urged all workers including foreign domestic helpers who suspect that they have been deprived of their employment rights and benefits should promptly report to the Labour Department, assist in investigation and give evidence to protect their statutory rights and benefits. Furthermore, to enhance foreign domestic helpers' awareness and knowledge of their employment rights and benefits, the department will continue to hold various promotional and educational activities.  

Ends/Thursday, May 15, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:42

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