MOM prosecutes SRC Recruitment and its EA personnel over Carousell ads

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) yesterday prosecuted SRC Recruitment and one of its Employment Agency (EA) personnel, 41-year-old Erleena Binte Mohd Ali, for insensitive advertising of foreign domestic workers (FDWs).

According to a media release, the advertisements were placed between 1 September 2018 and 17 September 2018, on online marketplace, Carousell, casting the FDWs in an undignified light - advertising FDWs in a manner akin to a commodity.

Both SRC Rectuitment and its EA personnel face a total of 243 charges for offences under the Employment Agencies Act (EAA). Here's a breakdown of what each of them face:

SRC Rectuitment

• 49 counts of s23(5) EAA for violating EALC 2 for the insensitive advertisements
• 50 counts of s23(5) EAA for violating EALC 4(a)(iii) for failing to ensure that the EA’s name and licence number are reflected in the advertisements
• 4 counts of EAA S23(5) for violating EALC 9 for incomplete authorisation forms to be signed by employer for authorising work pass transactions
• 4 counts of EAA S23(5) for violating EALC 13A for not administering FDW safety agreements
• 37 counts of Rule 12(4) of the Employment Agencies Rules 2011 for failing to issue itemised receipts to FDWs

EA personnel, Erleena Binte Mohd Ali

• 49 counts of abetting SRC to commit an offence under EAA s23(5) for violating EALC 2 for the insensitive advertisements
• 50 counts of abetting SRC to commit an offence under EAA s23(5) for violating EALC 4(a)(iii) for failing to ensure that the EA’s name and licence number are reflected in the advertisements

If convicted, they may be fined up to $5,000, or jailed up to six months or both.

As of now, SRC Recruitment's licence has been suspended, while Erleena has been de-registered as an EA personnel.

In the media release, MOM emphasises that it expects all EAs to exercise sensitivity when marketing their services, and exercising their duty of care towards their clients, including FDWs.

"There are established guidelines on responsible advertising which are well publicised, including on the MOM website, and which EAs are expected to adhere to," it added.

At the same time, MOM encourages members of the public with information on EAA infringements to report the matter to MOM. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

ALSO READ: SRC Recruitment under investigation by MOM over Carousell ads