Hong Kong company and director fined HK$66,000 for wage violations

A Hong Kong company and its director were fined HK$66,000 for violating the Employment Ordinance by failing to pay four employees HK$190,000 in wages and HK$287,000 in tribunal awards. The Labour Department warned employers and directors they must comply with legal payment deadlines.

A Hong Kong company and its director have been fined a total of HK$66,000 for breaching the Employment Ordinance, the Labour Department announced on 5 October 2026.

The company deliberately and without reasonable excuse failed to pay four employees a combined sum of approximately HK$190,000 in wages within the statutory period after the end of wage periods and within seven days after the termination of their employment contracts. It also failed to pay the same four employees a total of about HK$287,000 in awards ordered by the Labour Tribunal within 14 days of the specified deadline.

The director was also prosecuted and convicted because the violations occurred with his consent, connivance or were attributable to his neglect.

A Labour Department spokesman said: "This ruling sends a strong message to all employers, company directors and relevant responsible personnel that they have a duty to comply with the provisions of the Employment Ordinance, and to pay wages, termination compensation and awards ordered by the Labour Tribunal or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board to employees within the statutory deadlines."

The spokesman added: "The Labour Department will not tolerate such illegal acts and will enforce the law strictly, doing its utmost to protect employees' statutory rights."