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The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today (June 12) pursued nine claims in the Small Claims Tribunal, totaling some $265,000 on behalf of 31 employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.

The defendants were Top Treasure Engineering Limited, Hin Sum Manpower Company Limited, Safetinet (Hong Kong) Limited, China Town Club Limited, China Ocean Engineering Limited, Chow Yok Bor trading as Chi Kan Transportation Company, Sharp Harvest Limited trading as Fook Lam Hot Pots Seafood Restaurant, Kingfield Design Limited and West Winning Limited.

At today's hearing, Hin Sum Manpower Company Limited and Chow Yok Bor trading as Chi Kan Transportation Company did not dispute the amounts claimed. The Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sum of $48,505.24 and $18,228.33 respectively, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.

The other defendants, namely, Top Treasure Engineering Limited, Safetinet (Hong Kong) Limited, China Town Club Limited, China Ocean Engineering Limited, Sharp Harvest Limited trading as Fook Lam Hot Pots Seafood Restaurant, Kingfield Design Limited and West Winning Limited did not appear at today's hearing. In their absence, the Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sum of $49,090.54, $44,260.28, $34,982.21, $20,406.53, $17,908.01, $17,023.08 and $14,959.60 respectively, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.

The amounts awarded will be reimbursed to the employees' MPF accounts as soon as they are received by the MPFA. The court further awarded payments of $210, $200, $210, $490, $160, $310, $250, $310 and $530 as costs in respect of the claims.

Top Treasure Engineering Limited, Hin Sum Manpower Company Limited and Safetinet (Hong Kong) Limited pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistracy earlier to 6, 6 and 15 counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and were fined $24,000, 21,000 and $30,000 respectively.

End/Thursday, June 12, 2003

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