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Operations manager faces 61 charges for collecting $396,440 in kickbacks from 56 migrant workers

Foreign manpower Work passes and permits

Ho Chiak Hock Derrick (“Ho”), a 52-year-old Singaporean, is facing 61 charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) for allegedly collecting kickbacks from 56 migrant workers. These kickbacks were monies collected from them as a condition for their employment or renewal of their work passes.

2        Acting on a tip-off, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) began investigating allegations of the collection of kickbacks by Ho in November 2020. He was a former operations manager of conservancy company Lian Cheng Contracting Pte Ltd. Investigations revealed that Ho had allegedly demanded monies totalling $396,440 from 56 migrant worker employees of the company on multiple occasions since 2014. The monies were either collected by Ho directly, or through three migrant workers acting on Ho’s instructions. These three workers themselves had allegedly paid kickbacks as a condition for renewal of their work passes.

3        If found guilty, Ho can be fined up to $30,000, or jailed for up to two years, or both, per charge.

MOM will take stern action against errant employers

4        Collecting kickbacks from migrant workers is a serious offence. MOM will take stern action against errant persons or companies, including barring them from applying for new work passes and from renewing their existing work passes. Migrant workers who suspect that they are giving kickbacks can seek help by calling MOM at 6438 5122 or the Migrant Workers’ Centre at 6536 2692.

5        Members of the public who are aware of suspicious employment activities, or who know of persons or employers who contravene the EFMA, should report the matter to MOM at 64385122 or mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg. All information will be kept strictly confidential.