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Mr Wong Chi Hung trading as Surplus Laundry Express was fined $14,000 at the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts today (June 14) for committing wage offences under the Employment Ordinance. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.
The employer failed to pay wages to an employee within seven days of the expiry of the wage period and the termination of employment. He also failed to pay annual leave pay to the employee within seven days after the termination of employment.
In addition, the employer failed to pay severance payment ordered by the Labour Tribunal within the time specified in the order of payment.
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.
And according to Section 41D, where an employee ceases to be employed and annual leave is due to him, the employer shall pay to him the annual leave pay as soon as practicable, but not later than seven days.
According to Section 31O(1A), where the Minor Employment Adjudication Board or Labour Tribunal has ordered that any sum in respect of severance payment is payable, the employer shall pay such sum within the time as ordered or within 14 days from the date of the order of payment if no order as to the time is made.
The maximum penalty for annual leave pay and severance payment offences is $50,000.
The Labour Department urged employees who are owed wages to call its complaint hotline, 2815 2200 immediately.
Ends/Thursday, June 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:24
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