More than 100 employees owed three months of pay
A couple in Singapore have been fined a total of $144,000 after failing to pay more than a hundred employees for up to three months in 2022.
Sim Ling Zhen and her husband, Wu Wenchun, each received a fine of $72,000 for salary offences under the country's Employment Act, according to the Ministry of Manpower.
Sim and Wu were the respective registered director and general manager of three companies, namely Royal Cuisine Group Pte Ltd, Yanxi Pte Ltd, and Healthy Meals Catering Pte Ltd.
These companies operated numerous catering services under the brand names "Royal Cuisine Group," "Tingkat Singapore," "Angel Confinement Meals," "Happy Mamapapa Catering," "Vegetarian Buffet" and the former restaurant "Yanxi" at Chin Swee Road.
Salary owed to employees
According to MOM, their investigation showed that the couple started to accrue salary arrears in August 2022.
By December in the same year, their companies' premises were closed by the landlords due to rental arrears.
"Sim Ling Zhen and Wu Wenchun failed to fully inform the employees of the companies' situation and disregarded their concerns even after the closure," MOM said in a media release.
"As a result, 103 employees were left stranded with up to three months of salary arrears."
MOM said the couple were provided with ample time to make salary restitutions, but did not make efforts to do so.
They owed approximately $432,000 to the employees across their three companies, but only $73,000 was paid.
Both were each charged with 24 counts of salary offences under Singapore's Employment Act. They each pleaded guilty to 12 charges, while the remaining 12 were considered by the court for sentencing.
"Sim Ling Zhen and Wu Wenchun were also uncooperative when employees sought assistance from MOM and the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management," MOM said.
"They failed to attend mediation sessions, repeatedly missed appointments, and did not provide their most current residential address during investigations."
Jail time possible for non-payment
If the couple are unable to pay the fine, they will each be jailed for 66 weeks, according to MOM.
The ministry said it takes a "serious view of the non-payment of salaries."
"We will continue to take firm action against errant offenders who fail to comply with our employment laws," it said in a statement.
"These include individuals like Sim Ling Zhen and Wu Wenchun, the registered director and general manager who were responsible for the large amount of salary arrears accrued."
MOM said most of the affected local workers have since found new jobs, with assistance from Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management.
