Ministry of Manpower reminds employers that work pass fraud is a 'serious offence'
Seven employers and an administrative assistant in Singapore have been charged over work pass fraud, prompting a stark reminder from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) that the practice is a "serious offence" under the country's laws.
MOM said the eight individuals – five Singaporeans and three Chinese nationals – have been charged with making false declarations in work pass applications under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 (EFMA). The Singaporeans comprise three company directors, a sole proprietor and an administrative assistant, while the three Chinese nationals are all company directors.
The individuals were charged for falsely declaring that they had made Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions to their local employees, despite these workers not actually working for them, in an attempt to inflate their foreign worker quotas.
One of the employers also allegedly obstructed an employment inspector by instructing an individual to sign backdated and falsified employment documents, according to MOM.
MOM reminded employers and employment agencies that work pass fraud is a "serious offence" under the EFMA, which carries fines of up to $20,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years or both.
"Unlawful practices include making fraudulent CPF contributions to phantom workers to inflate foreign worker quotas and submitting false declarations of salaries...
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