Updated: 09/26/2014 10:50 | By Channel NewsAsia
Three workers jailed for fraudulent work injury claims
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SINGAPORE: Three workers were sentenced to between four and six weeks of jail each in July and August for making fraudulent work injury claims, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Friday (Sep 26).
Between April and July 2013, Khan Momen, Govindan Raja and Billal Hossain Kader Molla claimed they had been injured in work-related accidents, and sought compensation from their employers under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA). But investigations by MOM officers found that the three had lied about the accidents, and charges were brought against them.
Said Mr Woon Cheng Peng, Deputy Director of MOM’s Work Injury Compensation Department: "When the veracity of WICA claims are in doubt, MOM conducts extensive investigations into the claims. Such investigations and subsequent prosecution of fraudulent cases take up considerable time and resources, which could have been better spent on ensuring that genuine claimants have their claims settled fairly and expeditiously.”
MOM will not hesitate to take “tough action” against fraudulent claimants, he said, adding that the ministry will also take action against errant employers who fail to fulfil their WICA obligations.
Since January this year, four workers have been convicted in court for making fraudulent WICA claims and/or furnishing false information, according to the ministry.
Those convicted of making fraudulent claims may be fined up to S$15,000 and/or jailed up to 12 months, while those convicted of furnishing false information may be fined up to S$5,000 and/or jailed up to six months. - CNA/cy
