Statistics on Investigations of and Penalties for Employers Receiving Kickbacks from Migrant Workers

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower (a) in each year from 2021 to 2023, how many cases involving employers receiving kickbacks from migrant workers did the Ministry investigate; and (b) of these investigations, how many led to (i) stern warnings (ii) charges and (iii) successful prosecutions against the employers.

Dr Tan See Leng: From 2021 to 2023, the Ministry of Manpower investigated about 210 cases per year for kickback offences. Over the three years, about 70 employers were taken to task annually; of which, about 70% were issued with warnings or composition fines and the remainder were charged in Court. Of those charged, about 90% were successfully convicted, with the rest still undergoing Court proceedings.