An employer has been fined HK$5,000 (US$650) at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts for obstructing a labour inspector in the performance of his duty and failing to keep a record of employees at the place of employment. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department. Labour inspectors are authorised under the Immigration Ordinance to enter places of employment to check records of employees and identification documents held by their employees.

Under the provisions of the Immigration Ordinance, anyone who obstructs a public officer in the execution of his duty under this provision is liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months. Also, any employer who fails to keep a record of employees at the place of employment of each of his employees is liable to a fine of $50,000.

...back to 5 January 2006

Further information:
Employer fined for obstructing labour inspector

Discuss this news item in the PayPerShop Forum

In August 2005, the Labour Department announced various measures to protect more effectively the statutory rights and benefits of employees in the catering industry and prevent abuse of the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund. (See our news item Preventing abuse of Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund ) The Government now proposes to implement one of the key measures announced at that time, namely an increase in the maximum penalty for wage offences.

The Employment (Increase in Penalty for Offences under Section 63C) Bill 2005 seeks to raise the maximum penalty for wage offences from the existing fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for one year to a maximum fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.

The number of convicted summonses on wage offences rose from 139 in 2002 to its current level of over 500 each year.

...back to 8 December 2005

Further information:
Amendment Bill to raise maximum penalty for wage offences

Discuss this news item in the PayPerShop Forum