The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority will file a petition to the High Court to wind up Sing Pao Newspaper Management Limited if it fails to settle outstanding MPF contributions within 21 days, or by April 8.

The authority issued a statutory demand today, asking Sing Pao to recover the payment. It has also initiated civil actions and criminal prosecutions against it for the purpose.

But the company has ignored the law requirements and failed to make MPF contributions for its staff on time. It has repeatedly breached its undertakings this year, including making out a dishonoured cheque.

The authority has been receiving Sing Pao staff's complaints since September 2005.  So far it has recovered about $6.3 million in MPF payments while about $4.2 million are still in default.

Hotline answers staff questions

Sing Pao admitted two summonses and was fined $8,000 in October 2006, and was fined $72,000 in the second and third criminal prosecutions. The authority recently started the fourth one against Sing Pao; the hearing is set for April 1 at Kwun Tong Magistracy.

The authority has been dedicating staff members to handle Sing Pao's case and taken measures to recover the default payments, including freezing its bank accounts and applying for a garnishee order.

Sing Pao staff can call the hotline 2918 0102 for enquiries on the authority's actions.