Employer fined $68,600 for contravening Employment Ordinance
An employer was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violating requirements under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The employer pleaded guilty at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (December 30) and was fined a total sum of $68,600. The employer was also ordered to pay the employee concerned an outstanding sum of about $205,000.
The employer wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirements of the EO, failing to pay an employee's wages and payment in lieu of notice within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods and termination of employment, as well as holiday pay and annual leave pay within the statutory time limit, totalling over $171,000. The employer also failed to pay the awarded sum of about $205,000 in total to the employee within 14 days after the date set by the Labour Tribunal (LT).
"The ruling will disseminate a strong message to all employers that they have to pay wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO, as well as the sums awarded by the LT or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board," a spokesman for the LD said.
"The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.
London ETO greets Year of Snake in Norway
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) and the Norway-Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce hosted a Year of the Snake reception in Oslo, Norway, on March 5 (Oslo time).
The Director-General of the London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, delivered a virtual welcome speech at the reception. He highlighted that Hong Kong is an unparalleled destination for businesses and investors, thanks to its free and open investment environment, as well as its simple and low tax system. Mr Law said, "The number of companies in Hong Kong with overseas or Mainland parent companies rose to 9 960 in 2024, while the number of start-ups in Hong Kong increased to 4 694, both reaching record highs. These figures demonstrate that Hong Kong is becoming increasingly attractive to businesses and remains an ideal place for Mainland and overseas enterprises to set up or expand their operations. "
Mr Law added, "On top of attracting businesses, Hong Kong is also attracting tourists with its dynamic calendar of world-class events. In 2024, Hong Kong welcomed close to 45 million international visitors, a 31 per cent increase from 2023. Stepping into 2025, Hong Kong, as the 'Events Capital of Asia', is set to host an array of high-profile business, sports, arts, and cultural events."
The reception was well attended by over 80 guests in Norway from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the business, academic and cultural sectors. The London ETO will continue to celebrate the Year of the Snake among the countries under its purview.
London ETO greets Year of Snake in Norway Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
London ETO greets Year of Snake in Norway Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
London ETO greets Year of Snake in Norway Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
