Employment agency runner charged with abetment of illegal employment

1. On 7 December 2017, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) charged 52-year-old Singaporean Ng Siew Leng (“Ng”) in the State Courts, for abetting the illegal employment of a foreign domestic worker (FDW).
2. Ng, an employment agency runner, faced one charge under section 5(1) read with section 23 (1) under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA). As she was previously convicted in May 2014 for the same offence¹, Ng faces stiffer penalties of a fine of up to $30,000 and a mandatory jail term of at least a month.

About the Case

3. Investigations revealed that between 7 April and 28 April 2017, Ng arranged for an Indonesian FDW to work in an employer’s household without first obtaining a valid work pass for her. By illegally deploying the FDW for three weeks, Ng had abetted the employer to commit an illegal employment offence.
4. The case has been adjourned for a Further Mention on 28 December 2017, and will be heard in Court 23 at 10 am.

Advisory from MOM

5. Under the EFMA, employers are not allowed to hire any foreigner without first obtaining a valid work pass for the employee. FDWs are also only allowed to work for the official employer and at the address stated on the work permit card. Those who flout the law can be fined up to $30,000 or jailed up to 12 months’ imprisonment, or to both. Repeat offenders face stiffer penalties including mandatory jail terms. They will also be barred from employing FDWs.
6. Members of the public who have any information on activities relating to the illegal employment of foreigners should report the matter to MOM at mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg or call 6438 5122. All information will be kept strictly confidential.