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Separately, a 68-year-old Singaporean has been convicted for collecting over $100,000 in illegal kickbacks from migrant workers.
On 25 July 2025, Sim Ling Zhen, 31, and her husband Wu Wenchun, 37, were each sentenced to a fine of S$72,000, bringing the total to S$144,000.
Both were convicted of salary-related offences under Singapore’s Employment Act. In default of payment, they face 66 weeks of imprisonment.
Sim and Wu were each charged with 24 counts under the Act. They pleaded guilty to 12 charges, with the other 12 taken into consideration for sentencing. The case affected over 103 employees from three companies under their management: Royal Cuisine Group, Yanxi and Healthy Meals Catering. The unpaid salaries were for the period from August to December 2022.
According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the companies owed approximately S$432,000 in total. However, only S$73,000 was eventually paid to the affected employees.
Operations and background
Sim was the Director and Wu the General Manager of the companies. They were actively involved in the operations of several catering brands, including Royal Cuisine Group, Tingkat Singapore, Angel Confinement Meals, Happy Mamapapa Catering, Vegetarian Buffet, and the former restaurant Yanxi at Chin Swee Road.
These brands had previously drawn complaints from the public in 2022 for not fulfilling meal orders.
Investigations by MOM revealed that salary arrears began to accumulate in August 2022. In December that year, the companies’ premises were closed by landlords due to rental arrears. Despite this, Sim and Wu did not properly inform employees about the situation and ignored their concerns after the closure. As a result, 103 employees were left without pay for up to three months.
Lack of cooperation
When employees turned to MOM and the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) for help, Sim and Wu were found to be uncooperative. They failed to attend mediation sessions, missed multiple appointments, and did not provide updated residential addresses.
Although given sufficient time to make salary restitutions, they did not show effort to do so, according to MOM.
Support for affected workers
Most of the affected local employees have since secured new employment. TADM provided assistance, including financial aid, and connected former workers with the NTUC Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) for job placement support.
MOM’s advisory to employers
Under the Employment Act, employers who fail to pay salaries face a fine between S$3,000 and S$15,000, or imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Repeat offenders face stiffer penalties.
MOM said it takes a serious view of salary non-payment and will continue to act against individuals who disregard employment laws. This includes company directors and managers responsible for the offence.
Kickbacks taken as condition for work pass renewal
Separately, in a case involving illegal kickbacks from migrant workers, Loo Kim Huat, a 68-year-old Singaporean, has been convicted for collecting over S$100,000 in kickbacks from migrant workers.
Loo was sentenced to a fine of S$90,000 and ordered to pay a penalty of S$42,000 after pleading guilty to six out of 18 charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA). The remaining charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.
Loo was the Director and Group Head for Conservancy at WIS Holdings, which manages Weishen Industrial Services. The company provides estate cleaning and maintenance services for town councils.
Investigations revealed that Loo conspired with four others to collect kickbacks from 18 migrant workers as a condition for renewing their work passes. The individuals involved included former Weishen site manager Lim Choong Seng, conservancy workers Kabir Mohammad Humayun and Robel, and an employment agent based in Bangladesh named Kamaruzzaman.
Kickback amounts ranged from S$900 to S$7,000 per worker, with a total of S$112,400 collected.
Loo has since paid S$83,050 in restitution to the affected workers. Of the 18 workers, nine have returned to their home countries while the remaining nine are still in Singapore, including three who are employed at Weishen.
Lim was convicted in August 2024 and fined S$84,000 while Kabir's case is still pending before the court.
MOM’s stance on illegal kickbacks
MOM has reiterated that collecting kickbacks from migrant workers is a serious offence. Individuals found guilty may face a fine of up to S$30,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
Migrant workers who suspect they are being asked to pay kickbacks are advised to call MOM at 6438 5122 or the Migrant Workers’ Centre at 6536 2692 for assistance.
Members of the public who are aware of such violations are encouraged to report them through MOM’s “Report an infringement” eService. All information shared will be kept strictly confidential.
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