MOM charges individual involved in illegal employment of 33 foreigners

MOM charges individual involved in illegal employment of 33 foreigners

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has charged Ang Peck Leang ("Ang"), a 64-year-old Singaporean, with 33 counts of employing foreigners without valid work passes under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act ("EFMA").

Case Facts

2 From 2018 to 2021, Ang allegedly employed 33 foreigners to be part-time cleaners via a chat group on Viber, a mobile app. Of these 33 foreigners, 27 were migrant domestic workers, five were on work permits for other companies, and one was on a Dependant's Pass; they did not possess valid work passes to be employed as cleaners.

Penalties for Illegal Employment

3 Under the EFMA, any person who employs a foreign employee without a valid work pass is liable on conviction to a fine of at least $5,000 and not more than $30,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both. Upon conviction, MOM may also bar the individual from employing foreign employees.

4 Foreigners who work in Singapore without valid work passes may be liable to a fine not exceeding $20,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both. Upon conviction, MOM may bar them from working in Singapore.

5 Members of public who are aware of suspicious employment activities such as foreigners working without valid passes should report the matter to MOM at [email protected]. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.