Individual failed to pay more than $480,000 to 11 employees on time
An individual from Bilok Educational Organisation Limited has been fined $84,000 for violating the Employment Ordinance (EO), according to the Hong Kong Labour Department (LD).
The case was heard at the Sha Tin Magistrates' Courts on October 4, where the individual pleaded guilty to the charges.
The Labour Department stated that the company failed to pay wages to 11 employees within seven days after the expiration of the wage period, as required by the EO.
The unpaid wages amounted to approximately $484,000. The responsible person was prosecuted and convicted for her involvement in the failure to comply with the ordinance, either through consent, connivance, or neglect.
"The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers, directors, managers, and responsible persons of companies that they have to pay wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO," a spokesman for the Labour Department said in a statement.
The department emphasised that it would continue to strictly enforce the law to protect employees' rights.
"The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.
Hong Kong's Employment Ordinance mandates employers to pay wages to an employee "as soon as practicable but in any case not later than seven days after the end of the wage period."
"An employer is required to pay interest on the outstanding amount of wages to the employee if he fails to pay wages to the employee within seven days when it becomes due," the EO read.
