A man has been fined $13,000 for underpaying wages and annual leave pay to his Indonesian domestic helper.

Choy Chung-sing paid his helper $2,000 a month, which is below the minimum allowable wage specified in the employment contract. To disguise it, he told the helper to sign and acknowledge the receipt of $3,700 per month.

Choy also failed to give annual leave pay to the helper after the employment was terminated. The helper initiated civil claims at the Labour Tribunal and received $21,000 in separate proceedings.

The maximum fine for underpayment of wages is $200,000 and a year's jail. For underpayment of annual leave pay, the maximum fine is $50,000.