Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong (left) underlined efforts that his ministry was making to protect the well-being of foreign workers here. -- ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG
A TASKFORCE set up to provide early detection of bosses who are at risk of defaulting on salary payments to their foreign workers, identified 43 such employers since it started work in January.
It has already prosecuted two employers for failing to pay salaries and is investigating another nine.
Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong announced these figures on Thursday at the opening of a new foreign workers' dormitory in Jurong, as he underlined efforts that his ministry was making to protect the well-being of foreign workers here.
He also outlined the work of a ministerial steering committee set up late last year to coordinate whole-of-Government efforts to ensure that these workers can co-exist harmoniously with Singaporeans.
The steering committee's work includes educating foreign workers about social norms here and deploying uniformed auxiliary police officers and security officers to areas across the island where foreign workers gather in significant numbers.
Mr Gan was addressing concerns that bosses facing tough times may neglect their responsibilities towards their foreign workers, such as paying salaries on time and providing proper housing.
He also revealed that that marine engineering company K7 Engineering has been barred from hiring foreign workers after it tried to repatriate a dozen men before their salaries were settled. Its existing work permits have also been revoked.
Mr Gan said his ministry is scrutinising work permit applications, adding that employers suspected of not having legitimate work for foreign workers are also flagged.
Last year, his ministry took enforcement action against 852 employers for failing to provide proper housing, and against a further 217 bosses for similar offences in the first three months of this year.
Operators of 14 dormitories were fined as well for infringing fire safety regulations after an inter-agency sweep of illegal dormitories across Singapore last month. Almost 1,400 workers have been relocated to approved housing since the checks.
