CPF contributions: Board recovered $293m from errant firms last year

The CPF Board recovered $293 million from errant firms last year.

Of the sum, $9.4 million were recovered for some 11,000 workers from 4,000 firms that did not pay or underpaid their workers' CPF. Another $283.7 million was recovered from some 37,000 firms that paid CPF to their 190,000 workers late.

The CPF Board said Thursday morning that more than 190,000 workers benefitted from CPFB's recovery efforts, consistent with 2011's figure.

Last year, the Manpower Ministry had warned about stepping up enforcement against CPF malpractices in a bid to improve the lot of low-wage workers. It named the food and beverage, retail, cleaning and security sectors as industries where malpractices are known to be higher.

The CPF Board vowed that it will persist with the enforcement drive while continuing to raise awareness among employers on their CPF obligations. "Through enforcement and education, we hope to see greater compliance with the CPF Act and Employment Act.", said CPF Board's director for enforcement Ng Hock Keong.

The board also warned that errant firms face a fine of $2,500 for each offence, and the fines may increase to $10,000 for repeat offenders. It also urged the public to report errant employers through its 1800-2219922 hotline or website www.cpf.gov.sg.

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