Company and its director fined for contravening Employment Ordinance

     VI.D.O Productions Limited and its director were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for failing to pay wages and defaulting on the sums awarded by the Labour Tribunal (LT) to two employees, contravening the Employment Ordinance (EO). The company and its director pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (August 16) and were each fined $36,000 for a total of $72,000. 

     The company failed to pay two employees' wages of about $53,000 within seven days after the expiry of the wage period or the date of termination of employment, as required by the EO. The employer also failed to pay the employees the same awarded sum within 14 days after the date set out by the terms of the LT award. 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, directors and responsible officers of companies that they have to pay wages to employees within the time limit stipulated in the EO and to pay 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.