Restaurant chain sued over MPF contributions

Local restaurant chain Kam Kee Catering Co has been sued by the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority for owing HK$3.1 million in employers' contributions to 980 workers between February and March.
In a writ filed with the High Court on Wednesday, the authority said the company, owner of restaurant chains such as Kam Kee Cafe and Akam Laksa, failed to pay the mandatory fund contributions for its employees in the sum of "HK$3,100,433.46 due and owning to the [authority] pursuant to the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance."
The authority noted that the catering group did not pay the contributions for nearly 980 workers in February and March this year.
The authority has received 15 complaints from Kam Kee employees regarding the contributions since March.
The MPFA said it is also following up on last month's MPF contributions.
After assessing the unpaid mandatory MPF contributions, it will sue the company again by filing another writ.
"Enrolling employees in MPF schemes and making timely contributions are statutory responsibilities that every employer must comply with," the authority said.
It added that a designated department is responsible for handling complaints of suspected breaches, and must actively follow up on such cases and help workers collect the money owed.
In response, Kam Kee Catering Group chairman Rayman Chui Man-wai said he will check with the company's accounting department about the case.
Chui stated in March that Kam Kee Cafe had closed seven of its shops in the New Territories this year as Hongkongers prefer to go to the mainland to spend.
The businesses in New Territories were 20 to 30 percent less compared to those in other districts, and the group will focus on Yau Tsim Mong and West Kowloon district outlets in the future, Chui added.