Company and director respectively sentenced to fine of $300,000 and four months’ imprisonment for contravening Employment Ordinance

     The Supply Hub Limited and its director were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) under the Employment Ordinance (EO) for defaulting on a sum awarded to six employees by the Labour Tribunal (LT). The company and its director pleaded guilty earlier and were ordered by the court to pay the employees an outstanding sum of about $300,000 jointly and severally. The company and its director were respectively sentenced to a fine of $300,000 and four months' imprisonment at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today (December 15).

     The company failed to pay a sum of about $300,000 awarded by the LT to the six employees within 14 days after the due date set by the LT in accordance with the EO. The director concerned was prosecuted and convicted for his consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.

     "The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers and responsible officers of companies that they have to pay employees the sums awarded by the LT or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board within the statutory time limit in accordance with the EO," a spokesperson 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 spokesperson added.