The Independent Commission Against Corruption has charged four staff of two pest control companies for allegedly defrauding the Government over workers' wages, and blackmail, demanding part of their wages from employees.

One company, Green Harbour Environmental Services Limited, is a Food & Environmental Hygiene Department contractor.

Contract manager Lee Bun-keung, 42, and former foremen, Chau Ping-kuen, 44, and Po Ka-chun, 28, will appear at Eastern Magistracy at 9:30am tomorrow on one count of conspiracy to defraud, and one of conspiracy to blackmail.

Also charged is Kot Ka-kui, 54, contract manager of Centuryan Pest Control Services Limited. He and Lee have been jointly charged with one count of using a false instrument and one of using a copy of a false instrument.

Following a corruption complaint, the ICAC's probe revealed the alleged offences took place between August and December last year.

Wage cut

Lee, Chau and Po have been charged with conspiracy to defraud the Government by dishonestly requiring Green Harbour employees to return part of their wages. This meant they were being paid less than the minimum stipulated in its contract with the Government.

The defendants also instructed employees to falsely represent to the department that they received the required minimum wage, and submitted payroll records and supporting bank records which purported to show that minimum wages were paid.

The blackmail charge alleges Lee, Chau and Po made a menacing, unwarranted demand to Green Harbour employees to pay them part of their wages.

False invoice

Lee and Kot are jointly charged with using a false invoice and a copy of a false invoice, both purportedly issued by Pak Shing Trading Services Limited.

Lee allegedly used the false docmuents to claim transportation fee reimbursement from Green Harbour.

The defendants have been released on ICAC bail, pending their court appearances tomorrow.