Singapore Employment Agency Accused Of False Salary Declarations & Worker Kickbacks
Two Singaporeans and an employment agency have been charged under Singapore’s Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) after allegedly submitting false work pass declarations and collecting illegal kickbacks from migrant workers.
According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the accused are Zhao Yanxiao, 43, Hu Yuping, 58, and Wonderful Agency Pte Ltd. Authorities said the case involved misleading job declarations linked to migrant workers brought into Singapore under the Non-Traditional Source Occupation List (NTS-OL) scheme.
MOM revealed that investigations uncovered 14 allegedly false work pass applications submitted between December 2024 and August 2025. Zhao, who reportedly worked as employment agency personnel at the company, was accused of declaring the workers as food processing employees earning S$2,000 a month.
However, investigators claimed the workers were actually deployed to massage parlours, spas, and beauty salons instead of food processing roles. MOM also alleged that the workers did not receive the salaries that had been declared in the applications.
The authorities stressed that such acts undermine Singapore’s work pass framework and may leave migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation.
Singapore Tightens Enforcement Against Illegal Hiring Practices
The case also involved allegations against Hu, who managed a massage establishment. MOM said she allegedly worked with the agency to falsely declare a migrant worker as a food processing employee even though the individual was working as a masseuse.
Hu was additionally accused of collecting a S$500 kickback from the worker as a condition of employment.
Under Singapore law, making false declarations in work pass applications can lead to fines of up to S$20,000, jail terms of up to two years, or both. Individuals and companies convicted may also face restrictions or bans on hiring foreign workers in future.
Meanwhile, collecting kickbacks from migrant workers carries a harsher maximum fine of S$30,000 alongside possible imprisonment of up to two years.
The latest case comes as Singapore authorities continue stepping up enforcement against illegal employment practices and labour exploitation. MOM reiterated that employers and employment agencies must ensure all work pass submissions are truthful and accurate.
The ministry added that maintaining integrity within Singapore’s foreign manpower system is critical to protecting workers and ensuring fair hiring practices across industries such as food processing, hospitality, wellness, and beauty services.
The accused are expected to face further court proceedings as investigations continue.