Employers Investigated and Prosecuted for Receiving Kickbacks from Migrant Workers and Amounts Involved

Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Manpower in 2024 (a) how many cases of employers alleged to have received kickbacks from migrant workers are investigated by the Ministry; (b) how many employers have been prosecuted; (c) what is the average number of migrant workers affected per employer; and (d) what is the average amount of kickbacks paid.

Dr Tan See Leng: In 2024, the Ministry of Manpower investigated about 250 alleged kickback cases. Enforcement actions were taken against 51 employers, of which 12 were prosecuted. On average, eight migrant workers were affected per employer and each migrant worker paid about $6,600 in kickbacks.