Two employers ordered to pay MPF non-payments
*********************************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority:

    The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today (June 4) pursued two claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for about $26,000 on behalf of three employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.

    At the tribunal's hearing, the defendant, Hangson Sign Production Limited, did not dispute the amount claimed. The Adjudicator ordered it to pay the MPFA $18,534.46, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.

    The other defendant, Waheungai Company Limited, did not appear at today¡¦s hearing and in its absence was ordered to pay the MPFA $8,085, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.

    The amounts awarded will be reimbursed to the employees¡¦ MPF accounts as soon as they are received by the MPFA. The tribunal further ordered the respective defendants to pay costs of $241 and $90.

    Hangson Sign Production Limited was previously convicted at Kwun Tong Magistracy of one count of failing to enrol its employee in an MPF scheme and was fined $5,000. Waheungai Company Limited previously pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistracy to five counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and was fined $12,000.

Ends/Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:44

NNNN