Man fined $30,000 for unlicensed EA activities

1. In the State Courts today, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) charged 45-year-old Singaporean Mohamed Yasin S/O Hameed Sultan (Yasin), with one count of conducting unlicensed employment agency (EA) activities without a valid EA licence. 
2. Yasin pleaded guilty to his charge in Court. He was convicted and fined $30,000, in default eight weeks’ imprisonment. In addition, he will also be barred from holding an EA licence.
   
   About the Case
3. Investigations revealed that between November 2014 and May 2015, the accused performed EA activities without a valid licence, by distributing pamphlets and advertisements, and facilitating job placement overseas. Three foreign workers had engaged him to secure employment in Canada, after being attracted by pamphlets promising jobs there, paying thousands of dollars for non-existent jobs. He also collected their biodata for the purpose of job migration and assisted to secure employment in Canada.
   
   MOM Takes a Serious View of Unlicensed EA Activities 
4. It is an offence to perform EA activities without a valid EA licence. MOM will not hesitate to prosecute offenders to protect the interests of employers and workers. Those convicted can be fined up to $80,000 and/or imprisonment not exceeding two years.
5. MOM advises job seekers to use only MOM-licensed EAs. They can be verified through the EA Directory on MOM’s website at www.mom.gov.sg/eadirectory. It is an offence to engage an unlicensed EA. Under the EAA, any person or company who uses the services of an unlicensed EA has committed an offence and is punishable with a fine of up to $5,000 per charge.
6. Should the public have any information on unlicensed EA activities, they should report the matter to MOM at mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg or call 6438 5122. All information will be kept strictly confidential.