DO NOT USE: Stiff action against errant bosses of foreign workers

New laws with more enforcement powers, higher penalties take effect

Stricter laws against errant employers of foreign workers come into effect on Friday. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) now has greater leeway to mete out higher penalties and swifter punishment, and also wields greater enforcement powers.

The changes to the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), approved by Parliament on Sept 11, include reclassifying some offences as regulatory breaches with penalties of up to $20,000.

Unlike criminal offences, these do not need to be prosecuted in court and can thus be dealt with more quickly.

Some new infringements have also been introduced, such as collecting kickbacks from foreign workers in return for giving them a job, and getting around quotas by having local "phantom workers" on the payroll.