http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/422814/1/.html
Another 3 coffeeshop operators charged with hiring "phantom workers"
By Tan Yew Guan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 April 2009 2023 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
SINGAPORE: The Manpower Ministry has hauled another three coffeeshop operators to court for falsely declaring the number of local workers hired.
They are Pam Yoon Chung, director of Mabo Holdings at Block 643, Bukit Batok Central, Ho Chin Lai, director of Li Soon Food Court at Block 158, Bukit Batok Street 11 and Soh Seng Thiam, manager of Jurong Cafe which operates two coffeeshops at Block 134, Jurong East Street 13 and Block 829, Tampines Street 81.
Pam faces 15 charges, Ho faces 26 while Soh has been slapped with 14.
This brings to 21 the total number of employers charged for "phantom worker" offences since the ministry began prosecuting such offences last November.
The ministry's investigations have shown that some employers pad their number of hires with "phantom" local workers in a bid to inflate their foreign worker entitlement.
Four employers who have so far been dealt with by the courts have received jail terms of between six and 16 months each.
The latest was the sole proprietor of Superb Plastics, Soo Eng Yong, who was sentenced to 12 months jail on Thursday.
The ministry said it will continue to pursue such cases aggressively.
It reminds employers resorting to "phantom workers" to instead hire genuine local workers or cancel the work permits of their existing foreign workers to ensure compliance with foreign worker quotas.
Under Singapore law, guilty employers can be fined up to S$15,000 and jailed up to 12 months on each charge.
Phantom workers may also face prosecution for abetting the offence.
The ministry said anyone with specific information on such offences can call 64385122 or email [email protected]. - CNA/vm
Another 3 coffeeshop operators charged with hiring "phantom workers"
By Tan Yew Guan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 April 2009 2023 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
SINGAPORE: The Manpower Ministry has hauled another three coffeeshop operators to court for falsely declaring the number of local workers hired.
They are Pam Yoon Chung, director of Mabo Holdings at Block 643, Bukit Batok Central, Ho Chin Lai, director of Li Soon Food Court at Block 158, Bukit Batok Street 11 and Soh Seng Thiam, manager of Jurong Cafe which operates two coffeeshops at Block 134, Jurong East Street 13 and Block 829, Tampines Street 81.
Pam faces 15 charges, Ho faces 26 while Soh has been slapped with 14.
This brings to 21 the total number of employers charged for "phantom worker" offences since the ministry began prosecuting such offences last November.
The ministry's investigations have shown that some employers pad their number of hires with "phantom" local workers in a bid to inflate their foreign worker entitlement.
Four employers who have so far been dealt with by the courts have received jail terms of between six and 16 months each.
The latest was the sole proprietor of Superb Plastics, Soo Eng Yong, who was sentenced to 12 months jail on Thursday.
The ministry said it will continue to pursue such cases aggressively.
It reminds employers resorting to "phantom workers" to instead hire genuine local workers or cancel the work permits of their existing foreign workers to ensure compliance with foreign worker quotas.
Under Singapore law, guilty employers can be fined up to S$15,000 and jailed up to 12 months on each charge.
Phantom workers may also face prosecution for abetting the offence.
The ministry said anyone with specific information on such offences can call 64385122 or email [email protected]. - CNA/vm
