MPFA pursues two claims worth $90,000 for eight employees

Updated at 6.43pm: The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) on Tuesday pursued two claims in the Small Claims Tribunal for some $90,000 on behalf of eight employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employers.

A spokesman said on Tuesday afternoon that the defendants, Harvest Tank Investments, trading as Fook Lam Hot Pots Restaurant and Tanho Development, trading as Royalty Restaurant, did not appear at Tuesday's hearing.

In their absence, the adjudicator ordered them to pay the MPFA the sums of $47,710.47 and $39,951.52, respectively. These amounts were for mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.

The amounts awarded would be reimbursed to the employees' MPF accounts as soon as they are received by the MPFA.

The court further awarded payments of $360 and $180 as costs in respect of the claims. Tanho Development, trading as Royalty Restaurant, pleaded guilty at Kwun Tong Magistracy earlier to six counts of failing to make MPF contributions on time and was fined $9,000.

Hong Kong introduced the MPFA scheme in December 2000. It requires Hong Kong employees to make contributions of 5 per cent of their monthly salaries to prepare for post-retirement financial needs.