MOM charges firm for multiple employment offences

The company director was guilty of everything from not paying salaries to illegal hiring

BY Nurhuda Syed 24 Jan 2020

A company director is Singapore has been charged by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for multiple employment violations.

Chen Shiqi, director at San Tong Engineering, was found guilty of offences like collecting kickbacks from foreign workers employed by the company and making false declaration of salaries during the work pass application process.

He also illegally employed foreign workers and failed to pay employee salaries.

Chen has violated both the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) and Employment Act (the Act).

MOM’s investigations revealed that Chen demanded sums of money from foreign employees on multiple occasions as consideration for their employment. He also made false statements in the submission of three work permit application forms.

When permits were revoked, Chen proceeded to illegally employ foreign workers. This came to light when several employees filed a complaint to MOM about not receiving their salaries.

The case is ongoing but MOM promises to “take stern action against errant employers”.

Chen’s punishments ranges wide:

Employers who hire a foreign worker without a valid work pass can be fined between $5,000 and $30,000, jailed for up to one year, or both.
For making a false declaration in any application or renewal of a work pass, the penalty is a fine up to $20,000, up to two years of jail, or both.
Receiving kickbacks from a foreign employee is punishable with a fine of up to $30,000, up to two years of jail, or both.
Failing to pay salary can lead to a fine between $3,000 and $15,000, jail for up to six months, or both.