*************************************
Mr Ho Shui-leung, an employer in the catering industry, and UTEC Limited, a construction company, were today (May 23) fined $23,000 and $12,500 at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts and the Shatin Magistrates' Courts respectively for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance.
Mr Ho failed to pay wages to five employees within seven days of the termination of employment. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department. He was ordered to clear the outstanding wages via court.
UTEC Limited failed to pay wages to an employee within seven days of the expiry of the wage period and the termination of employment. The prosecution was taken out by the Labour Department.
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/Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:06
NNNN
