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The proprietor of a transportation company was fined $50,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (October 14) for committing wage offences under the Employment Ordinance. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.

The employer failed to pay wages to an employee within seven days of the expiry of the wage period and the termination of employment, as required by the ordinance. The total amount of wages involved was $95,604. In addition to paying the fines, the employer was ordered to clear the wages owed to the employee.

According to Sections 23 and 25 of the Employment Ordinance, wages must be paid as soon as practicable within seven days of the expiry of the wage period or termination of employment. Any employer who fails to do so wilfully and without reasonable excuse is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and one year's jail.

End/Tuesday, October 14, 2003

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