Why MOM treats kickbacks seriously
The publication explains that collecting kickbacks undermines migrant workers’ welfare. Its message is directed at employers and people involved in collecting money in connection with workers’ employment.
The penalties stated in the publication
For each charge, the stated maximum is a S$30,000 fine, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both. Employers may also be barred from employing migrant workers. These general penalties are separate from the actual sentence in the case illustrated on the following pages.
Money collected for work pass applications
The case concerns Chen Shiqi, a director of San Tong Engineering. Migrant workers paid between S$1,000 and S$3,000 in connection with work pass applications. MOM presents the collections as a concrete example of employment kickbacks.
The sentence and debarment outcome
Chen received 31 weeks’ imprisonment and a S$22,000 fine for kickback collection and other offences described by the publication. Both Chen and the company were barred from employing migrant workers. The combined case outcome should not be presented as the mandatory sentence for every kickback offence.
Official source
Written independently from official MOM source material.