Company director sentenced to community service order for contravening Employment Ordinance

     The director of Chase Star Limited was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for defaulting on the sums awarded to employees by the Labour Tribunal (LT) under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The director pleaded guilty earlier at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts and was sentenced to 120 hours' community service order today (December 7).

     The company failed to pay two employees the sum of about $302,000 awarded by the LT within 14 days after the 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 corporate directors and responsible officers that they have personal liability to pay employees the sums awarded by the LT or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board within the time limit stipulated in the EO," a spokesman for the LD said.

     "The LD will not tolerate these offences and will continue to make a dedicated effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.