Skip to main content
About Us

MOM Acted on Tip-off and Arrested Illegal Foreign Workers

Foreign manpower
  • Lianhe Zaobao (07 May 2008) : MOM Acted on Tip-off and Arrested Illegal Foreign Workers
  • Lianhe Zaobao (17 April 2008) : MOM did not deal with my complaint
  • Lianhe Zaobao (22 April 2008) : MOM should not be too slow in dealing with public tip-off

MOM Acted on Tip-off and Arrested Illegal Foreign Workers
- Lianhe Zaobao, 07 May 2008

Please refer to Mr Wang Jie Fu's letter, “MOM did not deal with my complaint” (Lianhe Zaobao, 17 April 2008) and Mr Li Wen's letter “MOM should not be too slow in dealing with public tip-off” (Lianhe Zaobao, 22 April 2008).

2. MOM treats all information received from the public seriously. Based on the feedback provided by Mr Wang, MOM had inspected the premises in February and April this year and arrested several foreign workers. MOM is currently investigating the foreign workers and their employers for possible violations of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).

3. Due to the confidential nature of our operations, MOM does not as a practice provide informants with details of our enforcement action. MOM would like to thank the public for their support. Anyone with information on illegal employment offences can contact MOM at (65) 64385122 or via email at mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg.


MOM did not deal with my complaint
- Lianhe Zaobao, 17 April 2008

The letter writer claims he has noticed that a restaurant has always hired illegal workers and overstayers. He had made several complaints through phone, in writing and in person to MOM but was always told that “the matter would be reflected to the relevant department”. However, he has not heard of the outcome of his complaint. He thus questioned whether there was any follow-up and the efficiency of the Ministry.


MOM should not be too slow in dealing with public tip-off
- Lianhe Zaobao, 22 April 2008

The letter noted that MOM had spent money to publicise at bus stops and in various medium advertisements encouraging the public to provide information on illegal employment. However, when members of the public do so (including providing the name and address of the company and names of illegal workers), nothing is done after a long time. Sometimes even 4-5 months after providing information and after the illegal workers had already moved elsewhere there was still no action from MOM.

The writer felt that such a situation would discourage people to come forward and provide information. He added that if illegal workers were not dealt with, this would be unfair to locals and legal foreign workers. He hoped the authorities would take serious view of the issue.