 |
| Mr
CHAN : |
Mr
Wong, how's your summer job worker getting on? |
| Mr
WONG : |
Although
he has been here for three weeks, he has ruined two
pairs of sunglasses costing $1500. I'm going to deduct
the sum from his wages this month to compensate my loss.
|
| Mr
CHAN : |
As
far as I know, you are only allowed to deduct $300 under
existing labour laws.
|
| Mr
WONG : |
He
has only worked for three weeks and is just a summer
job worker. I don't think he is covered by labour laws.
|
| Mr
CHAN : |
Really?
|
No,
Mr WONG has misunderstood the Employment Ordinance (EO).
Under the EO, there is no distinction between summer job workers
and non-summer job workers. Summer job workers are equally
protected by the EO. In general, employees covered by the
EO, irrespective of their hours of work, are entitled to basic
protection such as payment of wages, restrictions on wages
deduction and the granting of statutory holidays.
An employer
is only allowed to deduct wages from his employee according
to conditions specified in the EO. For instance, in respect
of deduction of wages for damage to or loss of the employer's
goods or equipment by the employee's neglect or default, an
employer is only allowed to deduct, in any one case, a sum
equivalent to the value of the damage or loss but not exceeding
$300. Also, the total of such deductions shall not exceed
one quarter of the wages payable to the employee in that wage
period.
If you
are interested in knowing more about the provisions of the
EO, you may refer to the booklet "A
Concise Guide to the Employment Ordinance".
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