Kwun Tong Magistracy has fined Sing Pao newspaper $156,000 for wage and annual leave pay offences, and $72,000 for failing to make Mandatory Provident Fund contributions to staff.

The court also ordered Sing Pao to clear a $20,000 outstanding sum to two employees.

It failed to pay wages to 18 employees, totalling about $340,000, and annual leave pay to one worker worth about $6,000. It also failed to make MPF contributions to six employees for various contribution periods between July and December last year.

The Labour Department said it will not tolerate wage defaults. In 2006, there were 785 convictions for wage offences, up 34% on 2005. In the first seven months of this year there were 532 convictions, up 35% on the same period last year.

Employees who are owed wages should call 2815 2200.