MOM charges individual involved in illegal employment of 33 foreigners

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has charged Ang Peck Leang (“Ang”), a 64-year-old Singaporean, with 33 counts of employing foreigners without valid work passes under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (“EFMA”).

Case Facts

2 From 2018 to 2021, Ang allegedly employed 33 foreigners to be part-time cleaners via a chat group on Viber, a mobile app. Of these 33 foreigners, 27 were migrant domestic workers, five were on work permits for other companies, and one was on a Dependant’s Pass; they did not possess valid work passes to be employed as cleaners.

Penalties for Illegal Employment

3 Under the EFMA, any person who employs a foreign employee without a valid work pass is liable on conviction to a fine of at least $5,000 and not more than $30,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both. Upon conviction, MOM may also bar the individual from employing foreign employees.

4 Foreigners who work in Singapore without valid work passes may be liable to a fine not exceeding $20,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both. Upon conviction, MOM may bar them from working in Singapore.

5 Members of public who are aware of suspicious employment activities such as foreigners working without valid passes should report the matter to MOM at mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.