Managing Director Charged For Collecting Over $105,000 In Kickbacks

1. In the State Courts today, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) charged Ng Boon Cheng¹ (Ng), the Managing Director of Lian Lee Wooden Case Maker Co Pte Ltd, with 20 counts of collecting kickbacks amounting to $105,235 from 20 of his foreign workers, as a condition for their continued employment with the company.
2. MOM has recovered and returned the monies to all the affected foreign workers.
   
   About the Case
   
   
3. Investigations revealed that between January 2011 and October 2015, Ng allegedly consented to the company to deduct various amounts from the salaries payable to 20 foreign workers for their continued employment with the company. The collection of kickbacks or other benefits, as a condition or financial guarantee for employment, is prohibited under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).
4. The accused was charged in Court today with 20 counts under section 22A(1)(b) read with section 20(1)(a) of the EFMA. The case has been adjourned to 8 November 2016 in Court 23 at 9.30 am.
5. If convicted, Ng is liable to a fine of up to $30,000 or to imprisonment for up to two years or to both per offence. MOM may also impose a permanent ban on the offender from employing foreign workers.
   
   MOM Takes a Serious View of Kickback Offence
   
   
6. MOM takes a tough stance against employers who collect kickbacks. In April 2015, a Singaporean man Sheng Jianzhong, the Managing Director of Sheng Yu Construction Builders Pte Ltd, was fined $169,000 in default three months’ imprisonment for receiving kickbacks from foreign workers.  In August 2015, a Singaporean man Lim Leong Chye, the owner of a night club was convicted and sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and fined $35,000 for collecting kickbacks.
   
   Advisory to Workers
7. Foreign workers who are pressured to give kickbacks should seek help from MOM immediately.
8. Members of the public who know of persons or employers who contravene the EFMA should report the matter to MOM at Tel: (65) 6438 5122 or email mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg. All information will be kept strictly confidential.