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Asia Television Limited (ATV) and its director concerned were prosecuted by the Labour Department for committing wage offences under the Employment Ordinance (EO). ATV had pleaded guilty earlier to the 102 summonses laid against it in respect of the wage offences and was fined $1,070,000. The director concerned was convicted of 100 summonses on November 27 and was fined a total of $150,000 at the District Court today (December 2).
ATV failed to pay wages to employees within seven days after the end of wage periods or the termination of employment as required by the ordinance. The director concerned was convicted after trial for his consent, connivance or neglect in the wage offences committed by the company.
"It helps disseminate a clear message to all employers and responsible persons of corporate bodies that they have to effect payment of wages as required by EO. Failure to pay wages in accordance with the law is a serious offence. The Government will continue to make dedicated efforts in combating the offences," a spokesman for the Labour Department said.
"According to EO, if the wage offences are committed with the consent, connivance or neglect of the directors, managers or other similar officers of corporate bodies, these persons will be liable for the like offences. The Government will bring employers and responsible persons of corporate bodies defying the law to justice," the spokesman added.
Ends/Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:31
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