Individuals under probe for Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, Employment Agencies Act violations
Fourteen individuals have been arrested in Singapore for suspected offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) and the Employment Agencies Act (EAA), according to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
MOM nabbed four directors, nine foreign workers from the companies, and one key appointment holder from an employment agency last week in an enforcement operation conducted across multiple locations.
MOM said these individuals are under probe for suspected offences under EFMA for making false declarations and collection of employment-related kickbacks.
They are also under investigation for suspected unlicensed employment agency activities under the EAA.
The directors, in particular, are suspected of hiring phantom workers to inflate foreign worker quotas and employ migrant workers.
According to MOM, these individuals reportedly made fraudulent Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions to 139 locals despite not employing them, and only hired them in order to increase the companies' foreign worker quotas.
"MOM would like to remind members of the public not to accept CPF contributions from businesses they are not working for, as they may be guilty of aiding in false declaration offences by errant employers," the ministry said.
"Members of the public who are aware of suspicious employment activities, or who know of persons or employers who may have contravened the EFMA, should report the matter to MOM."
Penalties for offences
Making false declarations in work-pass applications carries a fine of up to $20,000, an imprisonment of up to two years, or both, under the EFMA.
Employers convicted of these offences also face the risk of being barred from employing foreign workers.
"Those who collude with companies by providing their particulars for fraudulent CPF contributions to inflate foreign worker quotas may also be prosecuted for abetment of false declaration, which carries a fine of up to $20,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both," MOM said.
"The collection of employment-related kickbacks is an offence punishable with a fine of up to $30,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both."
Meanwhile, individuals found guilty of operating an employment agency without a licence may be fined by up to $80,000, face a two-year imprisonment term, or both, under the EAA.
