Company director fined for default on Labour Tribunal awards

     Hang Cheong Engineering International Company Limited and its director were prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for defaulting on the sums awarded by the Labour Tribunal (LT) as required by the Employment Ordinance (EO). The company earlier pleaded guilty at Eastern Magistrates' Courts and was fined $100,000. The director also pleaded guilty today (July 4) and was fined $90,000. The company and director were ordered by the court to pay a sum of about $233,000 to three employees.

     The company failed to pay three employees the awarded sums of about $233,000 in total within 14 days after the dates set out by the terms of the LT awards in accordance with the EO. 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 and responsible officers of companies that they have to pay the awarded sums according to the terms of the awards of the LT or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board. The LD will not tolerate these offences and will continue to make dedicated efforts in enforcing the EO and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," an LD spokesman said.