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http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/04/12/employers-agents-charged-for-falsely-declaring-41-fts-salaries/ 7-11 stores charged for falsely declaring 41 FTs’ salaries April 12th, 2014 | Author: Editorial MOM currently investigating other similar false declaration cases involving 256 foreigners hired by 93 employers The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issued a statement yesterday (11 Apr) saying that it has charged 8 employers and 2 employment agents for falsely declaring the salaries of foreign employees to the Controller of Work Passes. The 8 employers are franchisees of local convenience chain store 7-Eleven. Of the 2 employment agents charged, one is a 28-year-old Singaporean director of Ethics Career Solution, and the other is a 32-year-old Indian national working in the same company. The 10 allegedly made false declarations between 11 November 2010 and 11 September 2013 in connection with applications for 41 foreign employees: 35 EP holders 6 S Pass holders One of the criteria for MOM granting an EP or S Pass is that the foreign applicant must meet the minimum salary requirement. Investigations revealed that the 8 employers declared in the application for work passes that they would pay the 41 foreigners salaries ranging from $2,400 to $4,550. However, the employers allegedly intended to pay the foreigners much less than the salaries declared. The employers had thus committed an offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) of furnishing false information to MOM. MOM’s investigations showed that the 2 employment agents of Ethics Career Solution, which facilitated the placement of 21 of the 41 foreign employees, submitted false salary information in the work pass application forms. They are also charged with furnishing false information. Of the 8 employers, 7 have pleaded guilty to the charges. They were fined between $8,000 or in default 4 weeks’ jail, and $56,000 or in default 42 weeks’ jail. The remaining employer has his case adjourned to 8 May 2014. One of the employment agents was fined $22,000 or in default 8 weeks’ jail while the other was fined $40,000 or in default 15 weeks’ jail. In February 2014, MOM took action against the 41 foreign employees involved in the false salary declaration scam. Some of them had their much lower salaries paid in cash, while some returned cash amounts ranging between $600 and $3,350 per month to their employers, after having their stated salary credited into their bank account. All were charged in court in February 2014. Of the 41 accused, 37 were fined between $5,000 and $7,000 or in default 5 weeks’ and 7 weeks’ imprisonment respectively, while 4 cases are still being heard. Those found guilty will be permanently banned from working in Singapore. The following is a sample of employers and foreigners involved in the false salary declaration scam: MOM said prosecution of the parties involved in the above cases is part of MOM’s continual enforcement efforts against circumvention of the work pass framework. MOM is currently investigating other similar false declaration cases involving 256 foreigners hired by 93 employers. MOM has stepped up on enforcement in this area following the raising of maximum penalties for false declaration under EFMA in November 2012. Offenders will be severely dealt with – if convicted, they can be fined up to $20,000, and/or jailed up to 2 years. Members of the public who know of persons or employers who contravene EFMA should phone MOM at (65) 6438 5122 or email [email protected]. All information will be kept strictly confidential.