Wealthy Gate Architects And Associates Limited and its director were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for failing to pay wages, payment in lieu of notice and the sum awarded by the Labour Tribunal (LT) to an employee in accordance with the Employment Ordinance (EO). The director pleaded guilty at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (December 3) and was fined $23,000. The company had pleaded guilty earlier and was fined $42,000. The company and its director were also ordered to pay the employee jointly and severally about $250,000, the remaining sum still owed to the employee as of today.
The company failed to pay wages and payment in lieu of notice to one employee as required by the EO, and the awarded sum of about $268,000 within 14 days after the due date. The director concerned was convicted for his consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.
"The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers, directors and responsible officers of companies that they have to pay wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO and the awarded sums according to the LT or Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board," a spokesman for the LD said.
"The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.
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