The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating an estimated 45 companies involved in airport operations at Changi Airport for suspected false declarations and illegal deployment of foreign workers. The probe, set out in a MOM release on 2 November, covers offences and infringements under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 (EFMA).
It started with an inspection at the airport. MOM found Employment Pass (EP) holders deployed on baggage handling, and preliminary investigations point to false salaries and occupations in what was declared to MOM for those EP holders. Other work pass holders were also doing baggage handling, which was not the work in their declared occupations.
The workers and who employed them
Investigations have so far identified an estimated 270 workers whose deployment is suspected of breaching work pass regulations. All of them were employed by SATS’ contractors and sub-contractors.
MOM has directed SATS to strengthen its oversight of the companies it has contracted. That means verifying that foreign workers are deployed in line with their work passes, and putting right any compliance gaps it finds. MOM has also sent an advisory to other companies involved in SATS’ operations, reminding them of their obligation to comply with the EFMA and work pass requirements.
The 270 is the count from investigations so far. MOM has not named any of the companies.
What the law allows
Under the EFMA, making a false declaration in a work pass application carries a fine of up to S$20,000, jail of up to two years, or both. An employer who illegally deploys a foreign employee faces a financial penalty of up to S$10,000 and can be barred from hiring work pass holders.
The jail term sits only with the false declaration. Illegal deployment carries the financial penalty and the hiring bar.
Where the case stands
Investigations are ongoing. MOM will take enforcement action if breaches of the EFMA are established, and it will keep up checks on compliance with work pass requirements.
MOM has not broken down how many of the companies are SATS’ direct contractors and how many are sub-contractors further down the chain. There is no timeline for the investigation, and nothing yet on what happens to the 270 workers themselves.
Members of the public who know of suspected work pass infringements can report them to MOM through its Report an Infringement eService. MOM keeps all information provided strictly confidential.
