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The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) has successfully pursued a claim of some $44,000 on behalf of five employees of a machine engineering company against their employer who had failed to pay mandatory provident fund contributions last year. The amount calculated also included surcharges imposed on the employer.

Five employees of Wang Tat Machinery Engineering made complaints to the MPFA against their employer, Yam Yiu-kwan, for failing to pay mandatory provident fund contributions. Two payment notices were subsequently issued but were ignored.

A claim filed on behalf of the employees was heard today (March 6) before Adjudicator Cheung Wai-tat. With the defendant failing to appear, the tribunal ordered in its absence to pay the MPFA $44,630.62, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges. The amount will be reimbursed to the employees' MPF accounts as soon as it is received by the MPFA. An amount of $280 for disbursement was also awarded.

On the other hand, the MPFA has received the amount of some $83,000 from Super Warm International Limited, being a claim on behalf of 19 employees for mandatory provident fund contributions and surcharges. The amount recovered has been given to the relevant MPF scheme trustee today for processing, and the MPF accounts of individual members will be reimbursed as soon as practicable.

An MPFA spokesperson said, "In dealing with cases of default contributions, the MPFA will pursue every available measure under the law to protect members' interests and rights. For their own protection, employees who suspect that their MPF rights are infringed upon should report their cases immediately to the Authority."

End/Wednesday, March 6, 2002

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