EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

23. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Employees of the Company located in the PRC are covered by the retirement schemes defined by local practice and regulations, which are essentially defined contribution schemes. The calculation of contributions for eligible employees is based on 20% of the applicable payroll cost in 2016. The expense incurred by the Company to these defined contributions schemes was $7,186,  $9,412 and $12,544 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

In addition, in 2018, the Company is required by PRC law to contribute approximately 10%,  8%,  2% and 2% of applicable salaries for medical insurance benefits, housing funds, unemployment and other statutory benefits, respectively. The PRC government is directly responsible for the payment of the benefits to these employees. The amounts contributed for these benefit schemes were $9,128,  $10,447 and $11,211 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.