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Unlicensed Employment Agent Charged

Employment practices Foreign manpower
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has charged an individual, Liew Fook, in court today for operating as an unlicensed employment agent, an infringement under the Employment Agencies Act.

2.   The 40-year-old accused allegedly secured biodata of foreign nationals who were interested in working in Singapore and sent them to prospective local employers without a valid Employment Agency licence.  He was previously convicted on 18 July 2008 for the same offence and was fined $4,000. He faces a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment of up to six months, or both if convicted for a repeat offence.

3.   In 2009, the Ministry prosecuted three unlicensed employment agents.  One was a recalcitrant offender who was fined the maximum sum of $10,000 and sentenced to a week's jail.

Review of Employment Agencies' Regulatory Framework

4.   MOM is currently reviewing the Employment Agencies' regulatory framework to ensure better compliance, adequate deterrence and a higher standard of recruitment practices.  One of the key changes is to impose tougher penalties against those operating as illegal employment agents. MOM has commenced consultations with key stakeholders in the industry on the regulatory framework review.

No Let-up in Enforcement against Unlicensed Employment Agents

5.   Mr Aw Kum Cheong, Divisional Director of the Foreign Manpower Management Division said, "MOM will continue to crack down on unlicensed employment agents who do not comply with regulations in place to protect the interests of employers and workers. Such agents compromise the well-being of foreign workers, for example, by collecting kickbacks on behalf of errant employers.  Foreign workers recruited by unlicensed agents could also end up working illegally. Errant employers who engage unlicensed agents would also be punished for abetment1."

6.   Employers should verify that an employment agency is licensed before engaging its services. A list of employment agencies licensed by the Ministry as well as other important regulatory information can be found on the Ministry's website. Anyone with information on unlicensed employment agents can contact MOM at 6438 5122 or email mom_fmmd @mom.gov.sg.
1 The abettor is liable to a fine of up to $5,000 upon conviction.