SINGAPORE: A former operations manager at a conservancy company was sentenced to jail on Thursday ( Nov 14 ) after collecting S$ 396, 440 ( US$ 295, 000 ) in kickbacks from migrant workers for years.
Ho Chiak Hock Derrick, 55, was given a 24 month ‘ prison sentence after pleading guilty to 20 claims, with 41 different claims taken into account for punishment.
This is “one of the largest cases of fees” investigated by the Ministry of Manpower ( MOM), according to , Mr Adrian Quek, regional director at the commission’s Foreign Manpower Management Division.
Ho was an activities director at Lian Cheng Contracting.
The Singaporean was in charge of paying illegal fees to the immigrant workers for his company, which included their continued employment there.
The portions collected ranged from S$ 1, 500 to S$ 15, 500 from each employee.  ,
Ho had personally or through his ex-colleague Rakibul collected the payments from the staff. According to MOM, Ho even used three immigrant workers – Shamim, Dhar Newton and Ahamed Rana – to collect the money.
” These migrant workers, who held jobs as area bosses or page managers, have been warned and barred from working in Singapore”, said MOM.
In total, he collected payments from 57 immigrant employees from 2014 to 2020.
” Lian Cheng’s administration was conscious of Ho’s criminal pursuits, and Ho had acted of his own authority in implementing the series”, added the government.
It had recently stated that Ho was the subject of an investigation after receiving a tip.
” We take a serious view of employers demanding payments from workers as a condition of employment, which is reprehensible and illegal” , , Mr Quek said.
” MOM will continue to take firm action against errant , individuals and companies, including barring them from applying for or renewing function passes”.
Migrant employees who believe they are receiving payments may contact the MOM at 6438 5122 or report the situation online. They may also , visit the Migrant Workers ‘ Centre at 6536 2692.