************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority:
A company officer and three employers were fined $24,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistracy today (October 5), after being convicted of offences under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Cap 485).
Cheung Hing On, Officer of Web-On (Asia) Limited, was charged under section 7A(8) and section 44 of the ordinance and pleaded guilty to four counts of failing to make Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) contributions for an employee within the prescribed time for the contribution period between September and December 2008. The defendant was fined $1,500 each for the first two summonses and $3,000 each for the remaining summonses, totalling $9,000.
Web-On (Asia) Limited was also charged under section 7A(8) and pleaded guilty to four counts of failing to make MPF contributions for an employee within the prescribed time for the contribution period between September and December 2008. The defendant was fined $1,500 each for the first two summonses and $3,000 each for the remaining summonses, totalling $9,000.
Multipipe Renovation Limited pleaded guilty to an offence under section 7(1) of the ordinance and was fined $3,000 for failing to enrol an employee in an MPF scheme.
P & N Worldwide Company Ltd pleaded guilty to an offence under section 7(1) and was fined $3,000 for the summons for failing to enrol an employee in an MPF scheme.
The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today pursued seven claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for about $95,000 on behalf of 11 employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.
Two defendants, Adrian Engineering Limited and Tam Sing Lung trading as Wang Cheong Metal Company, did not dispute the amounts claimed. The Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA $36,225 and $3,127.96, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The other five defendants, Yuk Ming Holdings Limited, Vinfair Cargo Survey Co., Limited, Kam Wing Travel Group Limited, First Basic (HK) Limited and Sanley Limited, did not appear. In their absence, the Adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA $25,154.5, $14,196, $9,550.98, $6,384.68 and $940.78, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.
The amounts both awarded at the tribunal will be reimbursed to the employees' MPF accounts as soon as they are received by the MPFA. The tribunal ordered the respective defendants to pay costs of $215, $129, $165, $145, $155, $135 and $116.
Ends/Monday, October 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:44
NNNN