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Mr Pang Shing-sum trading as Pang Kee Engineering Company was fined $12,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (April 16) for wage offences under the Employment Ordinance.
The employer failed to pay wages to two employees within seven days of the expiry of the wage periodand was prosecuted by the Labour Department. In addition to paying the fines, the employer was ordered to clear the outstanding wages via court.
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.
Any employer who fails to do so wilfully and without reasonable excuse is liable to a maximum fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
Employees who are owed wages should immediately report to the Labour Department's complaint hotline on 2815 2200.
Ends/Monday, April 16, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:20
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