Construction worker convicted for posing as employment agent

A 28-year-old Bangladeshi construction worker has been convicted for conducting employment agency activities without a licence.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the worker, Ahmead Rubel (“Rubel”), unlawfully charged a Bangladeshi worker $3,000 as agency fees for a job at Nanjing Minglu Construction Engineering Co. Ltd.

Rubel was convicted in the State Courts on 30 April 2015 and the District Judge Michelle Yap sentenced him to a total fine of $40,000 in default four months' imprisonment.

Two other similar charges were taken into consideration for the purpose of sentencing.

"Foreigners holding valid work passes should not try to earn quick money by performing unlicensed EA activities. Foreigners who want to seek employment in Singapore, and companies which seek workers should approach licensed employment agencies for their employment and recruitment needs," commented Kevin Teoh, divisional director of MOM’s Foreign Manpower Management Division.

"The Ministry will clamp down on unlicensed EAs as they undermine the credibility of the industry. Those who break the law will be severely dealt with," he added.

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