An employer was fined $12,000 at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts recently for failing to pay periodical payments in accordance with requirements of the Employees' Compensation Ordinance.

The employer, Ho Cheung Investment Development Limited trading as Hoi Wan Seafood Hotpot Restaurant, failed to pay periodical payments to an employee on the normal pay days or within seven days thereafter as required by the ordinance.

The amount involved was about $33,000. The Labour Department launched the prosecution.

The payments are payable on the injured employee's normal pay days. An employer who, without reasonable excuse, fails to pay within seven days of the due date commits an offence and may face a $100,000 fine if convicted.