PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES (Exploitation of job-seekers)

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare whether he is aware that some private employment exchanges in Singapore are exploiting employment seekers, and what does he propose to do about such concerns.

Mr Lim Yew Hock: Sir, I am aware of one recent case in which four aggrieved employment seekers made a report to the police which led to the arrest and conviction of a man who had been operating a private employment agency. I have good reason to believe that although some private employment agencies are long established, there are others which exist only to exploit employment seekers. I am looking into the possibility of introducing new legislation under which private employment agencies can be effectively regulated. However, most of the bogus agencies which exploit the unemployed are mushroom growths, here today and gone tomorrow. The remedy in such cases is not new legislation but for the intended victims to make early reports to the police so that prompt action can be taken against them under the existing law.