Ministry of Manpower refused to investigate EP-holder cheats

[Watchman]

Ministry of Manpower refused to investigate EP-holder cheats
August 20th, 2011

http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/08/20/ministry-of-manpower-refused-to-investigate-ep-holder-cheats/

I AGREE with Mr N. Nagesh (‘Illegal pay pact’; Tuesday) on the need
for serious enforcement against illegal pay pacts between employers
and Employment Pass (EP) holders.

One company I worked for over-declared the salaries of its EP-holders to the
Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
to fill the positions of draughtsmen. When I discovered it, I reported the
matter to MOM and supplied details of the wrongdoing as well. The ministry
replied that it could act only if the EP-holder complained, an answer that
goes against common sense: Why would an EP-holder lodge a complaint if
he was part of the plot?

If such loopholes are not plugged, imposing tougher conditions like raising
qualifying pay levels or requiring more stringent educational qualifications
may not necessarily make it harder for employers to hire foreign professionals.



.

Priscilla Poh (Ms)