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Six employers were fined a total of $140,500 at the Kwun Tong Magistracy today (November 1), after being convicted of offences under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance.
In the first case, the defendant, Natural Hair Treatment Centre Company Limited, pleaded guilty to eight counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time for an employee between Febuary and September, 2003. The defendant was fined $6,000 for the first summons and $1,000 each for the other seven summonses, totalling $13,000.
In the second case, Compact Building Materials Company Limited 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 $6,000 for the first summons and $2,500 each for the other four summonses, totalling $16,000.
In the third case, Tam Kee Furniture Company Limited pleaded guilty to 14 counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time for an employee between April, 2004, and May, 2005. The defendant was fined $8,000 for the first summons and $2,000 each for the other 13 summonses, totalling $34,000.
In the fourth case, Sound Good International Limited pleaded guilty to 15 counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time for two employees between March, 2004, and January, 2005. The defendant was fined $8,000 for the first summons and $2,000 for the other 14 summonses, totalling $36,000.
In the fifth case, Million Profit (China) Limited trading as Royal Plaza Court Seafood Restaurant pleaded guilty to eight counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time for an employee between January and August, 2004. The defendant was fined $6,000 for the first summons and $2,500 each for the other seven summonses, totalling $23,500.
In the sixth case, Hong Kong Bright Holdings Limited trading as Royal Plaza Court Seafood Restaurant pleaded guilty to seven counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time for an employee between January and July, 2004. The defendant was fined $6,000 for the first summons and $2,000 each for the other six summonses, totalling $18,000.
Meanwhile, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today pursued five claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $100,000 on behalf of nine employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
At today's hearing, the defendants, Creditguard Consultants Service Limited, Treasure Marble Limited and Ng Chu Ming trading as Kong Ming Engineering Company Limited did not dispute the amounts claimed. The Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sum of $41,046.43, $31,129.17 and 25,167.11, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The other two defendants - Courage Security Limited and Yeung Fung Mei trading as Ben Design Advertising Company Limited - did not appear at today's hearing. In their absence, the Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sums of $783.96 and $262.5 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 $240, $190, $180, $150 and $190 as costs in respect of the claims.
Courage Security Limited pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistracy earlier to eight counts of contravening the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance and was fined $12,000.
Ends/Tuesday, November 1, 2005
Issued at HKT 19:20
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