*********************************************************
In response to media enquiries about the Kai Tak Cruise Plaza Limited (Cruise Plaza), a spokesman for the Labour Department (LD) today (April 25) gave the following reply:
The LD is highly concerned about Cruise Plaza's defaults in wage payment. On April 19, 2016, the LD laid a total of 62 summonses, including 31 summonses against the employer and the director each for the offences of failing to pay wages wilfully and without reasonable excuse under the Employment Ordinance (EO), and that the offences were committed with the consent, connivance or neglect of the director.
Since there is sufficient evidence that the company and its director committed wage offences under the EO and employees are willing to act as prosecution witnesses, the LD decided to initiate prosecutions against the company and the person liable for the wage offences.
The LD will continue to enforce the laws strictly. Prosecution actions will be taken to safeguard the statutory rights and benefits of employees if there is sufficient evidence and witnesses.
Moreover, the LD has been making every effort in providing appropriate assistance to the affected employees. These include lining up conciliation meetings for the employer and employees, and assisting the employees to file claims with the Labour Tribunal for seeking recovery of the outstanding wages.
Under EO, an employer should pay wages within seven days from the last day of the wage period or upon termination of employment. Any employer failing to do so is liable to prosecution. If the wage offence is committed with the consent, connivance or neglect of the directors, managers or other similar officers of corporate bodies, these responsible persons will be liable for the like offences. The penalty will be a maximum fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years upon conviction.
Ends/Monday, April 25, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:45
NNNN
