S'pore ends employers' kickbacks for hiring foreigners

MANILA, Philippines - Singapore’s labor department is set to impose conditions to prevent employers from receiving kickbacks for hiring foreign workers. The Ministry of Manpower’s plan seeks to prevent employers from using the money to cover the foreign worker’s levy, Singapore-based online news site, the Straits Times reported Friday. According to the report, the tax imposed on foreign workers range from $240 to $459 a month for unskilled workers. Starting July 14, employers receiving payment – monetary or in kind – will be fined up to $5,000 or jailed for up to six months, or both. Employers caught violating the new policy would be barred from employing foreign workers in the future. The report also said that employers would not be allowed from recovering levees and security bonds from their work permit and S pass holders. The ministry would introduce a new Work Permit1 and S Pass conditions to stop the practice of soliciting kickbacks for hiring foreign labor. For more inquiries call the Ministry’s Contact Center at Tel: 6438 5122 or visit their website at http:// www.mom.gov.sg - GMANews.TV