Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower has charged Ang Peck Leang, a 64-year-old Singaporean, with 33 counts of employing foreigners without valid work passes under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).

From 2018 to 2021, Leang allegedly employed 33 foreigners to be part-time cleaners via a chat group on Viber, a mobile app. Of these 33 foreigners, 27 were migrant domestic workers, five were on work permits for other companies, and one was on a Dependant’s Pass; they did not possess valid work passes to be employed as cleaners.

Under the EFMA, any person who employs a foreign employee without a valid work pass is liable on conviction to a fine of at least SGD 5,000 (USD 3,705) and not more than SGD 30,000 (USD 22,231), or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both. Upon conviction, MOM may also bar the individual from employing foreign employees.

Foreigners who work in Singapore without valid work passes may be liable to a fine not exceeding SGD 20,000 (USD 14,820), or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both. Upon conviction, the Ministry may bar them from working in Singapore.