UNLICENSED FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES

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UNLICENSED FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES: 17.

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Manpower whether he is aware that there is a marked increase in the number of unlicensed foreign employment agencies operating in Singapore and that they are creating unfair competition to the licensed local ones and, if so, does he intend to take enforcement action against them.

Mr Hawazi Daipi (for the Minister for Manpower): Sir, it is an offence under the Employment Agencies Act to operate an employment agency, or EA, in Singapore without a licence. We take a serious view of unlicensed employment agency operations and have been prosecuting such errant individuals,

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including unlicensed foreign employment agencies.

MOM has not detected a marked increase in unlicensed EA operations. In 2003 and 2004, we took enforcement action against 21 cases of unlicensed EA operations, including prosecuting 12 unlicensed EA operators. The maximum penalty for an unlicensed EA, as a first offender, is a $5,000 fine. For subsequent conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment. MOM would like to warn unlicensed employment agencies that necessary punishments will be meted out to the offenders.