Action taken by the Ministry Of Manpower against errant companies
by Esther Ng
05:55 AM Aug 11, 2010
<script type="text/javascript"> var fontIndex = 2; var fontSize = new Array('0.63em', '0.69em', '0.75em', '0.88em', '1em', '1.13em'); </script> - Case 1
A worker told MediaCorp his construction company owed him three months' wages ($2,650) and to 23 other workers, and yet was hiring more workers under another business. When contacted, the company director admitted he owned both firms but said the second one was inactive - after being set up in October - and that he was not hiring any more workers.
"It was just unfortunate that payments were delayed," he said. He added that the arrears were only for May's wages and amounted to $35,000.
The ministry told MediaCorp it was investigating the construction company for alleged phantom worker offences. The company has been barred from applying for or renewing work permits.
- Case 2
The MOM said it is investigating one firm and "two other related companies" for "possible violations" under the Employment Act after the ministry found in February that some 100 workers were owed salaries for two to four months. It said the workers subsequently accepted an offer by the employer's representatives to settle the arrears and chose to be repatriated.
According to the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics, the workers went home with 40 per cent of their wages of about $700 to $800.
- Case 3
According to Transient Workers Count Too, the director of a hairdressing salon closed his salon and opened another company last year. Three workers allegedly paid him $14,000 but when he applied to the MOM for work permits, it was refused. The MOM told MediaCorp it is investigating the company for allegedly collecting kickbacks from its foreign workers' employment.
