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An employer, Mr Ng Chi-keung, was sentenced at Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts today (September 21) to 14 days' imprisonment for failing to take out an insurance policy for an employee as required by the Employees' Compensation Ordinance. The prosecution was taken out by the Labour Department.
Ng employed a technician in April, 2005, on casual basis and on April 25 that year, the technician¡¦s left eye was seriously injured while at work.
The Magistrate emphasised that the courts had been attaching much importance to offences of failing to take out insurance policy for employees. Employers should not breach the law.
Section 40(1) of the Ordinance stipulates that employers are required to take out insurance policies for employees to cover their liabilities both under the Ordinance and at common law for injuries at work.
Employers failing to secure insurance cover for their employees commit an offence and are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year. They are also liable to pay a surcharge to the Employees Compensation Assistance Fund Board which imposes a levy on premium paid on employees¡¦ compensation insurance policies.
Employees are urged to call the complaint hotline of the department's Labour Inspection Division on 2815 2200 if they suspect that their employers have not taken out insurance cover for them. All complaints will be handled in strict confidence.
Ends/Friday, September 21, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:43
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