Cases Involving Employers Receiving Kickbacks from Migrant Workers
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the number of cases and prosecution outcomes regarding employers receiving kickbacks from migrant workers, as raised by Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng stated that between 2016 and 2020, the Ministry of Manpower investigated an average of 960 cases annually, with approximately 102 employers penalized each year. Among those penalized, 80% received warnings or composition fines while 20% were charged in court, with prosecuted cases seeing a 90% conviction rate. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng highlighted that the Ministry now utilizes data analytics to detect hiring irregularities alongside processing complaints and tip-offs. Enhanced education and engagement efforts are also being implemented to encourage workers to report illegal kickback demands directly to the Ministry for assistance.
Transcript
61 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower for each year in the past five years (a) how many cases involving employers receiving kickbacks from migrant workers did the Ministry investigate; and (b) of these investigations, how many led to (i) stern warnings (ii) charges and (iii) successful prosecutions against the employers.
Dr Tan See Leng: MOM takes stern action against employers or any other party who collect kickbacks from migrant workers as a condition or guarantee of employment. These kickbacks are offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).
Between 2016 and 2020, MOM looked into an average of 960 cases per year for kickback offences. An average of 102 employers were taken to task each year; about 80% of them were issued with warnings or composition fines while the remaining 20% were charged in Court. For the cases that are prosecuted, about 90% were successfully convicted.
MOM will continue to take action against errant employers who collect kickbacks from migrant workers. In recent years, MOM has made use of data analytics to identify and detect unusual patterns in hiring practices more quickly and accurately. This has helped MOM proactively detect cases of employment kickbacks, in addition to complaints and tip-offs that we received. MOM has also stepped up education and engagement efforts to educate migrant workers that their employers cannot demand or collect kickbacks from them. Migrant workers who are asked to do so, should approach MOM for assistance.