Abuse of Criteria for Approval of EP Applications

Debated in Parliament on 16 Aug 2016.

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Zaqy Mohamad inquired about the criteria Harry’s International Pte Ltd met for 20 Employment Pass approvals and safeguards against abusing EP quotas, following an employee’s false declaration.
Lim Swee Say stated the 20 EPs were approved based on standard criteria like qualifications and salary, but the employee was convicted for falsely declaring salaries and fined $40,000.
MOM verifies EP applications through checks on qualifications and finances, rejects dubious applications, and bars offenders from working or hiring foreign workers in Singapore.
Employers who make false declarations face fines up to $20,000 or two years’ imprisonment, and since 2014, 58 employers have been convicted for salary falsehoods.
While no EP quota exists, MOM scrutinizes companies with unfair hiring practices, may delay processing, and suspend work pass privileges if corrective actions are not taken.

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Zaqy Mohamad

Mr Zaqy Mohamad asked the Minister for Manpower with regard to the case where an employee of Harry's International Pte Ltd was caught with falsely declaring information on hiring 20 Employment Pass (EP) holders (a) what are the criteria which the company met to get approval for 20 EP applications; and (b) what safeguards are in place to ensure that lack of quota for EP holders in the firm is not abused.

Lim Swee Say

Employment Pass (EP) applications are assessed based on a combination of factors, including educational qualifications, work experience and salary. The 20 EP applications for Harry's International Pte Ltd were approved as they met the criteria. However, their employee was subsequently found to have falsely declared the salaries in the EP applications. She was convicted in Court and fined $40,000.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) safeguards the integrity of our work pass framework by conducting the necessary verification on doubtful EP applications. These include checks on qualifications by overseas screening agencies or with the issuing education institutions. Employers may also be asked to show proof that the submitted qualifications are genuine and that they have the financial ability to pay the declared salaries. Audits may be conducted to ascertain if EP holders were, indeed, paid the salaries as declared.

EP applications found with doubtful qualifications will be rejected. EP applicants found to have submitted forged qualifications will also be barred from employment in Singapore. Applications with a declared salary suspected to have been inflated will also be rejected.

Strong action is taken against those who make false declarations in work pass applications. If convicted, the offender can be fined up to $20,000 and/or jailed for up to two years under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA). They will also be barred from hiring new or renewing work passes of their foreign workers. Members of the public who know of such offences should report the matter to MOM. Since 2014, a total of 58 employers have been convicted for making false declarations of salary in work pass applications.

While there is no EP quota, employers must consider Singaporeans fairly in hiring and career development. MOM subjects EP applications from companies which have signs of unfair employment practices to closer scrutiny. Processing of their EP applications will take longer. Where such companies do not take corrective action, MOM may, on the recommendation of Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP), suspend their work pass privileges.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Zaqy Mohamad inquired about the criteria Harry’s International Pte Ltd met for 20 Employment Pass approvals and safeguards against abusing EP quotas, following an employee’s false declaration.
Lim Swee Say stated the 20 EPs were approved based on standard criteria like qualifications and salary, but the employee was convicted for falsely declaring salaries and fined $40,000.
MOM verifies EP applications through checks on qualifications and finances, rejects dubious applications, and bars offenders from working or hiring foreign workers in Singapore.
Employers who make false declarations face fines up to $20,000 or two years’ imprisonment, and since 2014, 58 employers have been convicted for salary falsehoods.
While no EP quota exists, MOM scrutinizes companies with unfair hiring practices, may delay processing, and suspend work pass privileges if corrective actions are not taken.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Abuse of Criteria for Approval of EP Applications | PAPERCUTS

Abuse of Criteria for Approval of EP Applications

Debated in Parliament on 16 Aug 2016.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Zaqy Mohamad inquired about the criteria Harry’s International Pte Ltd met for 20 Employment Pass approvals and safeguards against abusing EP quotas, following an employee’s false declaration.
Lim Swee Say stated the 20 EPs were approved based on standard criteria like qualifications and salary, but the employee was convicted for falsely declaring salaries and fined $40,000.
MOM verifies EP applications through checks on qualifications and finances, rejects dubious applications, and bars offenders from working or hiring foreign workers in Singapore.
Employers who make false declarations face fines up to $20,000 or two years’ imprisonment, and since 2014, 58 employers have been convicted for salary falsehoods.
While no EP quota exists, MOM scrutinizes companies with unfair hiring practices, may delay processing, and suspend work pass privileges if corrective actions are not taken.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Zaqy Mohamad

Lim Swee Say

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Zaqy Mohamad inquired about the criteria Harry’s International Pte Ltd met for 20 Employment Pass approvals and safeguards against abusing EP quotas, following an employee’s false declaration.
Lim Swee Say stated the 20 EPs were approved based on standard criteria like qualifications and salary, but the employee was convicted for falsely declaring salaries and fined $40,000.
MOM verifies EP applications through checks on qualifications and finances, rejects dubious applications, and bars offenders from working or hiring foreign workers in Singapore.
Employers who make false declarations face fines up to $20,000 or two years’ imprisonment, and since 2014, 58 employers have been convicted for salary falsehoods.
While no EP quota exists, MOM scrutinizes companies with unfair hiring practices, may delay processing, and suspend work pass privileges if corrective actions are not taken.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Abuse of Criteria for Approval of EP Applications

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Zaqy Mohamad

Lim Swee Say

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Abuse of Criteria for Approval of EP Applications

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Zaqy Mohamad

Lim Swee Say

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