Singapore busts illegal labour supply syndicate

Singapore, April 9 (DPA) Singapore authorities have busted an illegal labour supply syndicate which used to recruit workers from India, Bangladesh and China, a news report said Thursday.

Bangladeshi national Shamsul Hoque Abdur Rahim, 40, and three Singaporeans were arrested by Manpower Ministry officials and the police following raids on various places in the city state.

Investigations revealed that the three Singaporeans were paid monthly salaries to front three companies used to recruit foreign workers from Bangladesh, India and China, the Straits Times said.

Shamsul faces 125 charges for abetting, contravening work pass conditions and engaging in a business without a valid work pass under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).

The workers were brought into Singapore and a majority of them was illegally deployed to other companies or told to find their own employment.

The syndicate collected a regular fee from the companies or from the workers themselves. Foreign work permit holders are only allowed to work at the company for which the permit was approved.

The three Singaporeans face charges of failing to control the workers or providing false information by declaring they were the official employers.

Employers who contravene any of the conditions of the work pass face a fine of up to 5,000 Singapore dollars or jail of up to six months, or both, under the EFMA.