MOM arrests 27 individuals for employment-related offences in enforcement operation

MOM arrests 27 individuals for employment-related offences in enforcement operation

On 30 July 2024, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) conducted an enforcement operation and arrested 27 individuals for their suspected involvement in illegal employment and making false declarations in work pass applications.

2 MOM officers raided 17 residential locations and arrested 13 Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs). These MDWs had allegedly worked illegally as household cleaners for other employers when they did not have the valid work passes to be employed as cleaners. They had also breached work pass conditions by failing to reside at their employers' residences.

3 MOM arrested another 14 individuals for their alleged involvement in abetting the illegal employment of the 13 MDWs by making false declarations in their work pass applications. These individuals had applied for work passes for these MDWs but subsequently released them to find their own work. Investigations against the arrested individuals are ongoing.

Penalties for illegal employment and false declaration

4 Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), all employers and work pass applicants must make accurate, complete and truthful declarations to the Controller of Work Passes. Employers can only hire foreign employees with valid work passes.

5 Foreigners who undertake employment without a valid work pass may be liable to a fine of up to $20,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. If convicted, they may be barred from working in Singapore.

6 Individuals convicted of making false declarations in work pass applications may be liable to a fine not exceeding $20,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two 2 years, or to both. Errant employers will also have their work pass privileges suspended, and the work pass applicant may also be prosecuted and barred from working in Singapore.

7 Commenting on the operation, Mr Adrian Quek, MOM's Divisional Director of the Foreign Manpower Management Division, said: "MOM takes a serious view of attempts to circumvent our work pass framework by providing false information and working illegally. MOM has been taking proactive steps to detect and identify suspicious work pass applications by incorporating data analytics and performing post-approval checks. Offenders have been taken to task for deliberately undermining our work pass controls. We will continue to step up our enforcement efforts and will not hesitate to take stern action against such offenders to ensure compliance with our employment laws."

8 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 at 6438 5122 or [email protected]. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.