-
· 5-
On the other hand, 874 cases were convicted under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (ECO) in 1996. The total fines amounted to $2.8 million, representing an increase of 38 per cent.
Of these cases, 701 involved the failure of employers to take out compulsory insurance policies for employees and 73 were related to the failure to effect employee compensation payments.
In 1996, 58 employers were convicted for terminating the employment contracts of injured employees as prohibited under the ECO.
"The fine for violating the provisions under the ECO can be very high," Mrs Leung warned.
She also cited one case in which an employer was fined $70,000 for failing to take out compulsory insurance, failing to report an industrial accident to the Labour Department and failing to pay periodical payments to the injured employee.
Mrs Leung reminded employers that the maximum fines for offences under both the EO and ECO were substantially revised in 1995 and 1996 respectively.
"Employers should refrain from contravening provisions of these ordinances, or they are liable to very heavy penalties," she said.
End
E
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.