Up to $20k fine for bending rules on foreign manpower

Up to $20k fine for bending rules on foreign manpower
PHOTO: Up to $20k fine for bending rules on foreign manpower

SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be given enhanced enforcement capabilities as the amendments to the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Amendment) Bill (EFMA) take effect tomorrow, Nov 9.

These amendments, which were passed in Parliament on Sept 11 this year, will strengthen MOM's enforcement capabilities, and ensure compliance with Singapore's work pass rules.

In a statement to the media, MOM said: "This will ultimately level the playing field for law-abiding employers and ensure that Singaporeans remain at the core of our workforce."

With the passing of the bill, a new administrative penalty regime will be established that will allow for swifter and more effective punishment for those who bend the rules. Commissioners for Foreign Manpower will be authorised to impose administrative financial penalties of up to $20,000 per infringement and/or any directions to comply.

New offences and infringements with higher penalties can also be created. This is to achieve greater deterrence, and to ensure that penalties are commensurate with potential profits by errant employers.

The amendments also include new presumption clauses and enhanced investigatory powers to step up enforcement against syndicates and errant employers.

MOM will continue to closely monitor and enforce against errant employers and syndicates that try to gain an unfair advantage by bypassing MOM's rules.

It is currently also working on the second tranche of the EFMA review, which will focus on improving the well-being of workers, and ensuring a fair balance of rights and responsibilities between employers and workers.

 


ellenja@sph.com.sg

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.