Former employee collected nearly $400,000 in illegal kickbacks from migrant workers
A former operations manager of Lian Cheng Contracting Pte Ltd has been sentenced to 24 weeks in prison for being the mastermind of one of the largest kickback cases investigated by the government, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced on Thursday.
Ho Chiak Hock Derrick, 55, pleaded guilty to 20 charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) for collecting payments from 57 workers between 2014 and 2020. An additional 41 charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.
MOM revealed that Ho collected a total of $396,440 in kickbacks, demanding payments ranging from $1,500 to $15,500 per worker in exchange for the renewal of their work permits and continued employment with Lian Cheng.
According to MOM, Ho's actions were carried out without the knowledge of the company's management.
However, Ho worked with former colleague Rakibul and three migrant workers — Shamim, Dhar Newton, and Ahamed Rana — to facilitate the collections. These workers, who held supervisory positions, have since been barred from working in Singapore.
"This is one of the largest cases of kickbacks investigated by MOM to date," said Adrian Quek, Divisional Director of MOM's Foreign Manpower Management Division, in a statement.
"We take a serious view of employers demanding payments from workers as a condition of employment, which is reprehensible and illegal. MOM will continue to take firm action against errant individuals and companies."
MOM further emphasised its commitment to protecting migrant workers from exploitation.
"Migrant workers who believe that they are giving kickbacks can seek help by contacting MOM or calling the Migrant Workers' Centre," it said in a media release.
It also encouraged the public to report any suspicious employment activities, assuring that all information provided will be kept confidential.
