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Mr Lee Siu-lun, who engaged in the transport industry, and Kender Development Limited trading as Chiu Chow Mansion Restaurant, were each fined $11,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (September 1) for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance. The prosecutions were launched by the Labour Department.
Mr Lee failed to pay wages to an employee within seven days of the expiry of the wage period and the termination of employment. The amount of wages involved was $6,300. In addition to paying the fines, he was ordered to clear the outstanding wages via court.
Kender Development Limited failed to pay wages to two employees within seven days of the expiry of the wage period. The amount of wages involved was also about $6,300. The outstanding wages had been paid to the employees before the commencement of the trial.
According to Section 23 and 25 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due upon expiry of the last day of the wage period or 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 $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
The Labour Department urged employees who are owed wages to call its complaint hotline, 2815 2200 immediately.
Ends/Friday, September 1, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:45
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