SINGAPORE - A Singaporean man has been sentenced to a $60,000 fine or in default two months' jail for carrying on an employment agency (EA) without a licence.
Samuel Tang Yong Meng, 45, is the first repeat offender to be convicted for operating an unlicensed EA under the revised Employment Agencies Act (EAA), which came into effect in April 2011.
In September 2007, Tang was convicted in court for operating an unlicensed EA and was fined $2,000.
Between April and May 2011, Tang had sourced and placed China nationals for employment in Singapore.
He had approached two different food stalls - Kassim's Restaurant Pte. Ltd. and M S Niyas Pte. Ltd. - and asked if they required China nationals to work at their stalls.
When they said they did, Tang proceeded to engage an unknown employment agent in China to source for suitable workers.
In addition, Tang had also liaised with one "May" from Yong Bak Kut Teh food stall to employ a China worker.
He asked for the owner's SingPass details and proceeded to make a work pass application for a China national who he had sourced from his China agent.
He also sent the foreign employee for thumb printing, medical examination and collection of the work permit card.
By rendering these services which he was not licensed to carry out, Tang received a sum of between $800 and $1,200 as "service fee" from the unknown agent in China for each successful foreign employee placed.
After purchasing medical insurance for the foreigners, Tang kept the balance.
Under the revised EAA, any person who operates or abets an unlicensed employment agency is punishable with a fine of up to $80,000 and up to 24 months' jail, or both.
For subsequent convictions, a fine of up to $160,000 and up to 48 months' jail, or both, will be imposed.
Previously, a Singaporean woman, Chua Mei Chern, 39, was sentenced to 10 weeks on Jun 12, 2012 for operating an unlicensed EA.
This was the highest sentence meted out by the Subordinate Courts for a first time offender.
The first person convicted as a principal offender under the revised EAA was a Filipino, De Luna Noriza Dancel.
She was fined $50,000 on Jan 31, 2012 for the same offence.
Since April 2011, a total of five people have been convicted under the revised EAA.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) advises the public to use only MOM-licensed employment agents for their employment needs.
They are encouraged to verify the legitimacy of the EA through the EA Directory on the MOM website at www.mom.gov.sg/eadirectory.
Anyone aware of any individuals or EAs that are operating without a licence should contact MOM at 6438 5122 or email [email protected].
All information will be kept strictly confidential.
