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Nine employers were fined a total of $104,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistracy today (October 4), after being convicted of offences under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance.
In the first case, the defendant, White Dragon International Investment Limited trading as Rosso di Sera, was convicted of failing to enrol an employee in an MPF scheme and was fined $10,000 after trial.
In the second case, the defendant, Hong Kong City Credit Management Limited pleaded guilty to five counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time for an employee between December 2004 and April 2005. The defendant was fined $5,000 for the first summons and $2,000 each for the other four summonses, totalling $13,000.
In the third case, the defendant, Hong Kong District Security Limited, was fined $13,000 after pleading guilty of failing to enrol two employees in an MPF scheme.
In the fourth case, the defendant, Yoon Ki Joong trading as Lloyd Company pleaded guilty to five counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time for an employee between October 2003 and January 2004. The defendant was fined $5,000 for the first summons and $2,000 for the other four summonses, totalling $13,000.
In the fifth case, the defendant, Rodney Engineering Company Limited pleaded guilty to five counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time for an employee between December 2004 and April 2005. The defendant was fined $5,000 for the first summons and $1,500 each for the other four summonses, totalling $11,000.
The two defendants in the sixth case included Ocean Jet Development Limited and Lee Kwong Yin, its director responsible for MPF related matters. The defendants pleaded guilty to eight counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time for an employee between May and August 2004. The defendants were fined $5,000 each for the first and fifth summonses, and $2,000 each for the remaining summonses, totalling $22,000.
In the seventh case, the defendant, Jumbo Regent Investment Limited trading as D&B Pet Shop, was fined $6,000 after pleading guilty of failing to enrol an employee in an MPF scheme.
In the eighth case, the defendant, Pang Chak Tong Laurence trading as Laurence Pang & Company pleaded guilty to five counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time for an employee between May and September 2004. The defendant was fined $2,000 each for the five summonses. On the other hand, the defendant was also fined $6,000 after pleading guilty of failing to enrol an employee in an MPF scheme. The defendant was fined a total of $16,000 for the six summonses.
Meanwhile, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today pursued six claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $120,000 on behalf of seven employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
At today's hearing, the defendant, Bright Star Machinery Engineering Limited, did not dispute the amount claimed. The Adjudicator ordered it to pay the MPFA the sum of $35,181.13, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The other five defendants, namely, Gold Target International Limited, Veda Strategus (Hong Kong) Company Limited, Ixon (Hong Kong) Company Limited, Inter Pacific Limited and Dynatrade International Limited, did not appear at today's hearing. In their absence, the Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sums of $26,833.69, $23,201.42, $17,854.49, $12,832.90 and $1,797.71 respectively, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The amount awarded will be reimbursed to the employees¡¦ MPF accounts as soon as it is received by the MPFA. The court further awarded payment of $270, $380, $430, $430, $180 and $170 as costs in respect of the claims.
Bright Star Machinery Engineering Limited pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistracy earlier to eight counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and was fined $15,500.
Ends/Tuesday, October 4, 2005
Issued at HKT 19:55
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