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The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA)'s 60-member enforcement team will start its inspection and enforcement work after the permitted period for casual employees in the construction and catering industries ends on December 10.

Speaking at today (December 4)'s press briefing, MPFA Executive Director (Member Protection), Mr Ernest Lee, said, "Initially, our team members will conduct inspections at restaurants, eateries, construction sites and contractors' offices. They will extend their enforcement work to cases relating to the master trust schemes after the initial 60-day period."

He stressed that sufficient persuasion and warning would be given before taking the prosecution route, adding that the MPFA would adopt a visible, credible and reasonable approach in enforcing the MPF legislation.

Members of the Enforcement Team have all undergone comprehensive training in different aspects such as court procedure, criminal offences, MPF Ordinance and customer services. They are authorized to carry out enforcement-related duties at various levels. When carrying out their duties, each team member will carry an authorized pass showing the photograph and particulars of the officer concerned.

"We will review the effectiveness of our enforcement policy regularly to ensure that it is flexible enough to cope with Hong Kong's ever-changing economic and social environment," said Mr Lee.

As at today, about 1.55 million employees and 139,000 self-employed persons have joined MPF schemes. This represents 75 per cent and 50 per cent of the relevant total population respectively. About 145,000 employers have signed up, representing 58 per cent of the relevant total population.

For those employers who have not yet signed up, Mr Lee urged them to do so before the 60-day permitted period expired for failure to do so might result in financial penalty and six months' imprisonment.

End/Monday, December 4, 2000