MOM to tighten controls over illegal employment of foreign workers

Date: 22 May 2007

Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen told Parliament on Tuesday that tougher penalties are being drafted to crack down on illegal employment of foreign workers.

As Singapore's economy grows, labour demand will also grow and along with it, the temptation to illegally employ foreign workers and to evade paying the foreign workers' levy.

Such errant employers also ignore conditions imposed to protect workers' well-being.

Dr Ng said: "There are syndicates which exist in many countries that seek to exploit vulnerable foreign workers. Many exact payment through empty promises of work, only to leave them (foreign workers) hapless and stranded in dire straits. Errant employers in Singapore who fall prey to the temptation of cheap labour in order to make a quick profit can exacerbate the problem of illegal employment."

Some 2,150 illegal foreign workers were arrested in 1995. The figure went up to 2,868 last year.

Dr Ng said: "For Singapore, as a small island, we need to be vigilant and manage our foreign worker population well, to ensure that it continues to contribute positively to our economy. We need a robust system with effective laws, enforcement and safeguards against the illegal entry and employment of foreign workers and ensure that their well-being is protected."

So, laws are being tightened to better manage the foreign workforce.

Under the new Act, the maximum fine is $15,000 or jail of up to a year or both for each case of illegal employment.

Any penalties imposed will be over and above the restitution of any levy evaded.

There are also stiffer penalties for forgeries of work passes as well as for false declarations made.

In 2005, 97 foreign workers obtained their Employment Passes and S-Passes by either using false documents or over-declaring their salaries.  Last year, this increased significantly to 374 cases.

With the changes, those who provide false information, alter work passes or possess forged work passes will be treated the same as those who employ foreign workers illegally.

They will also face a maximum fine of $15,000 or 12 months' jail or both.

Employers, foreign employees or self-employed foreigners, who know but keep quiet on false declarations, will be deemed to have committed an offence.

While they were appreciative of the contribution of foreign workers to Singapore's development and the need to protect them, MPs cautioned against doing so at the expense of locals.

MP Yeo Guat Kwang said: "I hope the MOM will regularly review and strengthen the existing protection for our local workers. We should not allow any disparity in treatment of local and migrant workers."

MP Seah Kian Peng said: "They (local workers) tell me, why do they (foreign workers) get the latest machines, why do they sit around on buggies, when others, the local workers, are in the drains clearing out the rubbish by hand? These are the raw emotions of workers on the ground. Things such as amendments to Bills may not reach their ears."

Responding to the MPs' concerns, Dr Ng said local workers would be protected.  Dr Ng assured MPs that there are other Acts that look after the welfare of local workers.

Source: CNA