Two employers fined for wage offences
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    Ms Hui Sau-chun, an employer of a domestic helper, and Giant EitherTEC Company Limited, a security system provider, were today (November 22) fined $72,000 and $24,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts and the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts respectively for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance. The prosecutions were taken out by the Labour Department.

     Hui failed to pay wages to an employee within seven days of the expiry of the wage period and the termination of employment.

     Giant EitherTEC Company Limited had committed the same offences and failed to pay wages to three employees.

     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/Thursday, November 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:15

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