Five Singaporeans charged for illegal importation of labour under EFMA

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