Employer charged for late salary payment and neglect of migrant domestic worker

Ummi Kalsum Binte Ali (“Ummi”), a 42-year-old Singaporean woman, is facing ten charges for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (“EFMA”) against her former migrant domestic worker (“MDW”), Sugiyem Bt Samad Radimah, a 49-year-old Indonesian (“Sugiyem”). These include charges for failure to pay salary to Sugiyem, and ill-treatment by neglect.

2 On 28 October 2020, the Ministry of Manpower (“MOM”) was alerted by the Centre for Domestic Employees of the case. The investigation by MOM revealed that Ummi did not pay Sugiyem’s salary on time from January to October 2020. Ummi also failed to provide Sugiyem with timely and adequate medical attention after Sugiyem made multiple requests to Ummi to see a doctor.

3 If convicted, Ummi can be fined up to $10,000, or imprisoned for up to 12 months or to both, for each charge of failing to pay Sugiyem’s salary. In relation to the charge of ill-treatment by neglect, Ummi can be fined up to $20,000, or imprisoned for up to 24 months or to both. She will also be barred from employing an MDW in the future.

4 MDWs who need assistance can call the MOM MDW Helpline at 1800 339 5505, or CDE at 1800 2255 233. In addition, anyone with information on suspected offences involving MDWs can report the matter to MOM at mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg or call 6438 5122.

5 MOM takes the safety and well-being of all MDWs seriously and is committed to introducing new safeguards to better protect them against potential abuse. More details will be shared in due course.