Remote Webinar Mar 2024
human resources online

Company director charged for false salary declarations, collecting kickbacks, and more

A company director from San Tong Engineering has been charged in Singapore for multiple offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), and the Employment Act (EA).

A total of 66 counts of charges were made against Chen Shiqi, for making false declaration of salaries during the work pass application process; collecting kickbacks from foreign workers employed by the company; illegally employing foreign workers; failing to pay employees' salaries, and more.

In a press release, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), who made the charges, said investigations revealed that Chen had demanded sums of monies from its foreign employees on multiple occasions, as consideration for employment.

As a Director of the company, Chen also made false statements to the Controller of Work Passes in the submission of three Work Permit application forms.

Apart from this,  it was uncovered that Chen had also illegally employed foreign workers after their work permits had been revoked. This came to light when a number of the company’s foreign employees approached MOM to lodge a complaint regarding salary defaults against the company.

Another hearing of the case will be heard on 4 February 2020.

Reminder: Penalties to be imposed against errant employers in Singapore

In line with the above, the MOM has reiterated key points for employers to note on such matters:
  • Under the EFMA, if an employer is found employing a foreign worker who does not hold a valid work pass will face a fine of between S$5,000 and S$30,000 or imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
  • If the person accepts money in connection with employing a foreign worker, they are punishable with a fine of up to S$30,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both,
  • If a false declaration of salary is made in any application or renewal of a work pass, the employer will face a penalty of up to S$20,000, or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
  • Under the EA, an employer who fails to pay their employees' salaries are liable for a fine of between S$3,000 to S$15,000, or six months' imprisonment, or both.


ALSO READMOM will now enforce stiffer penalties on all forms of workplace discriminationPhoto / 123RF

Follow us on Telegram and on Instagram @humanresourcesonline for all the latest HR and manpower news from around the region!

Related topics

Free newsletter

Get the daily lowdown on Asia's top Human Resources stories.

We break down the big and messy topics of the day so you're updated on the most important developments in Asia's Human Resources development – for free.

subscribe now open in new window