***********************************************************
An employer, Ms Queenie Chan Pui-chu, was fined $34,000 at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (April 12) for underpaying wages to her Indonesian domestic helper. The prosecution was initiated by the Labour Department.
"Employers of foreign domestic helpers should not pay their helpers below the minimum allowable wage stipulated by the Government. Under the Employment Ordinance, the maximum fine for underpayment of wages is $350,000 and imprisonment for three years," a spokesman for the Labour Department said.
During the employment period of the Indonesian domestic helper, Ms Chan Pui-chu failed to pay wages according to the minimum allowable wage of $3,270 as set out by the Government at the time of signing the employment contract in 2004. The total amount of outstanding wages was about $17,500.
The domestic helper had got back the underpaid wages and other termination payments from the employer at the Labour Tribunal.
"We have put in place an effective mechanism to assist foreign domestic helpers who have been deprived of their statutory entitlements. We are determined to carry out enforcement action under the Employment Ordinance and will prosecute employers defaulting payment of wages if sufficient evidence is available,” the spokesman said.
According to Section 23 of the Employment Ordinance, wages due upon expiry of the last day of the wage period shall be paid as soon as practicable, but not later than seven days.
"Employees, including foreign domestic helpers, who are owed wages should promptly report to the Labour Department, assist in investigation and give evidence to protect their own interests," he said.
The spokesman urged employees who were owed wages to call its complaint hotline, 2815 2200 immediately.
Ends/Thursday, April 12, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:33
NNNN
