PUBLISHED ONBYSean LerA former site manager with 800 Super Waste Management was on Wednesday (Nov 11) sentenced to 49 days in jail after he was convicted for demanding kickbacks from five migrant workers as a condition for their continued employment with the company.
Koh Kim Sia was handed a total of 24 charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. He pleaded guilty to five charges involving five migrant workers, with 19 other charges taken into consideration during sentencing.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a news release after his sentencing that he was responsible for recruiting and managing conservancy workers providing estate cleaning and maintenance services for town councils.
As site manager, he was also in charge of applying for and renewing their work permits.
According to charge sheets, Koh received kickbacks ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 from the five workers. He also received a total of $18,000 from them between June and July 2021.
Referencing the case, MOM warned employers and supervisors that demanding or receiving employment kickbacks from migrant workers is a serious offence, adding that it will not hesitate to take enforcement action against individuals who exploit migrant workers for monetary gain.
Under the Act, those found guilty of receiving or demanding kickbacks can be fined up to $30,000, jailed for up to two years, or both.
Migrant workers who suspect that they are being asked to give kickbacks can seek help by calling MOM at 6438 5122 or the Migrant Workers' Centre at 6536 2692.
Members of the public who are aware of of suspicious employment activities, or who know of persons or employers who contravene the Act, can report the matter to the ministry via its online reporting form.
All received information will be kept strictly confidential, the ministry stated.
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