Singapore
Five Singaporeans charged for illegal importation of labour under EFMA
On 25 July 2024, the Ministry of Manpower charged five Singaporeans under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act for illegally importing labour via shell companies. They face imprisonment, fines, and possibly caning. Seventeen foreigners were also charged, with ten already convicted and sentenced.
On 25 July 2024, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) charged five Singaporeans for offences involving the illegal importation of labour under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).
The individuals, Tan Tai Ji, Leong Kwai Tong, Sim Kian Boon, Terence, Neo Hock Guan Roy, and Cheng Tee Howe, are alleged to have conspired to submit work pass applications for foreigners under shell companies in exchange for monetary payment.
The five accused are alleged to have set up a total of 13 shell companies. These companies were non-operational, did not require the employment of foreigners, and failed to employ them after their arrival in Singapore.
According to MOM, a total of 17 foreigners have also been charged for offences under the EFMA.
Most were alleged to have obtained work passes through these companies without any intention to work. Ten out of the 17 foreigners have already been convicted and sentenced.
Penalties for Illegal Labour Importation and Illegal Employment
Under the EFMA, persons convicted of obtaining work passes for foreign employees for a non-existent business, a business that is not in operation, or a business that does not require the employment of such a foreign employee, and failing to employ the foreign employee, can face imprisonment for between six months and two years and fines up to S$6,000 per charge. If convicted of six or more charges, caning can also be imposed.
Employers convicted of employing foreigners without a valid work pass face fines between S$5,000 and S$30,000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both. Upon conviction, MOM may also bar them from employing foreign workers.
Foreigners convicted of working in Singapore without a valid work pass may be liable to fines not exceeding S$20,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Upon conviction, MOM will also bar them from working in Singapore.
Members of the public who are aware of suspicious employment activities, such as foreigners obtaining work passes under false pretences or working without valid work passes, are encouraged to report the matter to MOM at [email protected]. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.
Annex
| S/N | Name of Individual | Charges |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tan Tai Ji, 42-year-old Singaporean man | 55 charges under s 22B(1) r/w s 23(1) EFMA for engaging in a conspiracy to obtain work passes for foreign employees for a business that does not exist, that is not in operation or that does not require the employment of such a foreign employee, and failing to employ the foreigner |
| 2 | Leong Kwai Tong, 53-year-old Singaporean man | 66 charges under s 22B(1) r/w s 23(1) EFMA for engaging in a conspiracy to obtain work passes for foreign employees for a business that does not exist, that is not in operation or that does not require the employment of such a foreign employee, and failing to employ the foreigner |
| 3 | Sim Kian Boon, Terence, 35-year-old Singaporean man | 18 charges under s 22B(1) r/w s 23(1) EFMA for engaging in a conspiracy to obtain work passes for foreign employees for a business that does not exist, that is not in operation or that does not require the employment of such a foreign employee, and failing to employ the foreign employee |
| 4 | Neo Hock Guan, Roy, 46-year-old Singaporean man | 14 charges under s 22B(1) r/w s 23(1) EFMA for engaging in a conspiracy to obtain work passes for foreign employees for a business that does not exist, that is not in operation or that does not require the employment of such a foreign employee, and failing to employ the foreign employee |
| 5 | Cheng Tee Howe, 40-year-old Singaporean man | 14 charges under s 22B(1) r/w s 23(1) EFMA for engaging in a conspiracy to obtain work passes for foreigners for a business that does not exist, that is not in operation or that does not require the employment of such a foreign employee, and failing to employ the foreign employee |
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Have been going on for YEARS!!!!!!!,tthe cows are fatten,now only slowmotion action!!!
Compared to MOM, the number of foreigners brought into sg by these sgreans are really nothing. If they are being charged, we the citizens should charged MOM too.
Need to do another huge audit on ICA ..cant believe AG didnt find any cockroaches there in his recent reports….
So much corruption these days..
Terruble.
What !!!, …… just five !!!
In all of SillyPore ? !!!
Probably, … just to assure the public that they ARE on the ball and actively and robustly monitoring, … leaving no stone unturned and all that shit !!!
Everyone knows, … this is but a tip of a humongous iceberg, especially when one factors in reciprocal visa exemptions as well !!!
This happened because of a weak regulator. No protocols in place for the approval? Never check the nos. of employees in the company. Shell companies set up to hoodwink MOM because of incompetence of the civil service. If regulator is robust, the number of offenders will decrease. The increase of scammers throughout the island is due to poor regulation by State Institutions. Instead of preventing, the present administration cleans up the shit only after it hits the fan.