Written Answer by Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng to PQ on Proposal to Increase Penalties for S Pass and Employment Pass Holders Found Guilty of Submitting Forged Academic and Other Documents

NOTICE PAPER NO. 626 OF 2021 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 4 OCTOBER 2021

QUESTION NO. 84 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER 

MP: Mr Gan Thiam Poh

To ask the Minister for Manpower whether the Government will consider increasing the penalties in respect of S Pass and Employment Pass holders who are found guilty of submitting forged documents including academic certificates to gain entry into Singapore.

Answer

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), Work Pass applicants found submitting forged educational qualifications are liable to a maximum fine of $20,000, or to a maximum imprisonment term of two years, or to both, upon conviction. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will also revoke offenders’ work passes and permanently bar them from employment in Singapore.

This is one of the higher penalties under the EFMA and is commensurate with penalties of other contraventions of a similar nature under the Immigration Act. There is no need at this time to consider further raising the maximum penalties.

MOM has and will continue to strengthen our screening capabilities and fraud detection efforts. Employers should also continue to do their part to ensure that their recruitment process of foreigners is rigorous.