Singapore Site Manager Now Jailed for Migrant Worker Kickbacks

A former site manager at 800 Super Waste Management in Singapore has been sentenced to 49 days’ jail for demanding migrant worker kickbacks from five workers as a condition for keeping their jobs, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Wednesday (Nov 11).

Koh Kim Sia pleaded guilty to five charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act involving the five workers, with 19 other charges taken into consideration for sentencing, CNA reported.

Site Manager on Migrant Worker Kickbacks

According to MOM, Koh was responsible for recruiting and managing conservancy workers who provided estate cleaning and maintenance services for town councils.

He also handled the application and renewal of their work permits, the ministry said in a news release issued after his sentencing.

Payments Demanded to Keep Jobs

Koh admitted to receiving payments ranging from S$2,000 to S$4,000 from each of the five migrant workers between June and July 2021, totalling S$18,000, according to reports by CNA and Mothership.

The payments were demanded as a condition for the workers’ continued employment with the company, MOM said.

MOM Warns Employers

Referring to the case, MOM warned employers and supervisors that demanding or receiving employment kickbacks from migrant workers is a serious offence, AsiaOne reported.

The ministry said it would not hesitate to take enforcement action against people who exploit migrant workers for money. Under the Act, those found guilty of receiving or demanding kickbacks can be fined up to S$30,000, jailed for up to two years, or both, according to the report.

MOM also urged members of the public who know of suspicious employment activities, or of people or employers breaking the law, to report the matter to the ministry.

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Singapore Site Manager Jailed for Migrant Worker Kickbacks