Company director sentenced to community service order for default on Labour Tribunal award

     The director of Rich China Industries Holdings Limited was 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 director pleaded guilty earlier at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts and also paid the awarded sums totalling $3.6 million to six employees. The director was sentenced today (June 26) to 60 hours' community service order. 

     The company failed to pay six employees the Labour Tribunal awarded sums of about $3.6 million 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 prosecuted and convicted for his consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.

     "The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all directors and responsible officers of bodies corporate that they have personal liability to ensure payment of 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," a LD spokesman said.