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    Two employers of a school bus service company were fined $40,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (April 12) for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.

    The employers, Mr Ho Kwong-tai and Ms Ho Man-wah, 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 Employment Ordinance. The total amount of wages involved was $17,900. In addition to paying the fines, the employers were ordered to clear the owed wages with the employee.

    According to Section 23 and 25 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due upon expiry of the last day of the wage period and upon termination of employment shall be paid as soon as practicable, but not later than seven days.

    Any employer who fails to do so wilfully and without reasonable excuse is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for one year.

Ends/Tuesday, April 12, 2005

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