Two directors of Bexpress Internet Logistics (Hong Kong) Limited were 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 two directors pleaded guilty at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts earlier and both were ordered to pay a sum of about $134,000 via the court to the four employees. The directors were each sentenced to 80 hours' community service today (June 25).
The company failed to pay two employees wages within seven days after the termination of employment. The company also failed to pay four employees (including the above-mentioned two employees) the awarded sum of about $134,000 in total within 14 days after the date set out by the terms of the LT award in accordance with the EO. The directors concerned were convicted for their 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 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 for LD said.
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