Four arrested as MOM probes foreign worker employment offences

The directors are suspected of making fraudulent CPF contributions to inflate their foreign worker quotas.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has arrested four people—two company directors and two company staff from the construction sector—for suspected employment-related offenses.

The directors are suspected of making fraudulent Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions to locals who are not under their employment to inflate the foreign worker quotas of their companies.

Another 21 subjects are assisting in the investigation for suspected involvement in the “phantom worker” arrangements, the MOM said.

Suspected offences include false declarations and collection of employment-related kickbacks.

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), making false declarations in work pass applications carries a fine of up to $20,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both. MOM will also bar entities or individuals convicted of such offenses from employing foreign workers.

Persons who collude with companies for fraudulent CPF contributions may also be prosecuted for abetment of false declaration, and carry the same penalties as above.

The collection of employment-related kickbacks is an offence punishable with a fine of up to $30,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both.

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Ministry of Manpower

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