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In two separation cases at the Kwun Tong Magistracy today (12 May 2003), Physical Health Centre Hong Kong Limited pleaded guilty to six and 26 counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time, after making deduction from the income of two and 13 employees from September to December 2002 and November to December 2002 respectively. In the first case, the defendant was fined $1,000 each for six summonses, totalling $6,000. In the second case, the defendant was fined $1,500 each for the eight summonses and $1,000 each for the other 18 summonses, totalling $30,000.

At the earlier court hearing, the defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and was fined $9,000.

MPFA Pursues Claims for MPF Contributions

In the Small Claims Tribunal, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) pursued four claims for some $82,000 on behalf of 15 employees against their employers.

The defendants were Golden Label Development Limited trading as Golden Harvest Garden Thai Food Restaurant, Chan Mei Yung, Yip Fung Kiu & Lo Win Lin Liza trading as Rainbow Beauty & Spa Centre, X Design Factory Limited and Professional Production Group Limited.

The above defendants did not appear at today's hearing. In their absence, the Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sum of $33,728.35, $22,929.49, $16,425.24 and $9,291.72 respectively, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.

The amounts awarded will be reimbursed to the relevant employees' MPF accounts as soon as they are received by the MPFA. Amounts of $330, $340, $230 and $150 were also awarded respectively as costs in respect of the claims.

End/Monday, 12 May, 2003

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