The director of Talent Way Development Limited was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for failing to pay employees' wages and defaulting on the sums awarded by the Labour Tribunal (LT) as required by the Employment Ordinance (EO). The director pleaded guilty at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (July 27) and was fined a total of $50,000. The director was also ordered to pay a sum of about $320,000 via the court to the five employees.
The company failed to pay five employees wages within seven days after the termination of employment. The company also failed to pay them the awarded sum of about $320,000 in total within 14 days after the date set out by the terms of the LT award 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 wages to employees within the time limit stipulated in the EO and the awarded sums according to the terms of the awards of the LT or 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," a spokesman of the LD said.
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