Oral Answer by Ms Gan Siow Huang MOS for Manpower to PQ on Considerations Behind the Ministry's Punitive Actions Against Employer for Illegal Deployment of Ms Parti Liyani

NOTICE PAPER NO. 43OF 2020 FOR THE SITTING ON 5 OCTOBER 2020
QUESTION NO. 103 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Ms Yeo Wan Ling

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) what are the considerations behind the Ministry's punitive actions against the employer for the illegal deployment of Ms Parti Liyani as a foreign domestic worker; and (b) whether the actions taken are consistent with similar cases in the past.

Answer

1. In determining punitive actions for illegal deployment, MOM’s key considerations are the degree to which the well-being of the Foreign Domestic Worker has been compromised, and the extent of the illegal deployment. Ms Parti Liyani’s case of illegal deployment was handled by the Ministry of Manpower in accordance with these considerations.  
   
2. At the conclusion of MOM’s investigations in May 2018, in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), the Ministry took no further action against Mr Liew. A Caution was issued to Mrs Liew, and an Advisory Notice to Mr Karl Liew. The actions taken against the three individuals were in line with actions taken by the Ministry against similar cases in the past.
   
3. From 2017 to 2019, there were an average of 550 complaints of illegal deployment of Foreign Domestic Workers each year. Of these, MOM took actions against an average of 155 employers per year for illegally deploying their Foreign Domestic Workers: 
   (1) About 60 of them were issued with an Advisory Notice;
   (2) 80 were issued with a Caution.
   (3) On average, 16 employers were issued with financial penalties each year, ranging from $3,300 to $24,000.
4. There is a review ongoing for this particular case, arising from the High Court’s observations. MOM will give an update when the review is completed in due course.