The Ministry of Manpower launched the probe after finding that Employment Pass and other pass holders were assigned baggage handling tasks inconsistent with their declared roles. Approximately 270 workers across roughly 45 contractors and sub-contractors linked to ground handler SATS may have been unlawfully deployed. Preliminary findings indicate that firms submitted false occupation and salary information on official applications. SATS has since been instructed to strictly audit its vendor network to ensure full regulatory compliance.
Key points
Making false declarations on foreign work pass applications carries potential penalties o…: Making false declarations on foreign work pass applications carries potential penalties of up to two years' imprisonment and S$20,000 fines.
Employers found guilty of illegally deploying foreign staff face fines up to S$10,000 and…: Employers found guilty of illegally deploying foreign staff face fines up to S$10,000 and debarment from hiring overseas labor.
Ground handling operations at the airport face intense regulatory scrutiny to ensure all…: Ground handling operations at the airport face intense regulatory scrutiny to ensure all contractors comply with the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
MOM probes 45 firms over suspected work pass offences, illegal deployment at Changi Airport
The deployment of about 270 workers may not have complied with work pass regulations.
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating about 45 companies involved in operations at Changi Airport over suspected work pass offences, including false declarations and the illegal deployment of foreign workers.
In a media release on Monday (Nov 2), MOM said investigations have so far identified around 270 workers whose deployment may not have complied with work pass regulations.
The workers were employed by contractors and sub-contractors of ground handling company SATS.
The investigations follow a recent inspection at Changi Airport, during which MOM found Employment Pass (EP) holders performing baggage handling duties.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the salaries and occupations declared to MOM for these EP holders were false.
Other work pass holders were also found carrying out baggage handling work that differed from their declared occupations.
MOM said it has directed SATS to strengthen its oversight of its contractors, including verifying that foreign workers are deployed in accordance with…
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