Former Site Manager Convicted and Imprisoned for Demanding Kickbacks from Migrant Workers

Koh Kim Sia (“Koh”), a former site manager at 800 Super Waste Management Pte Ltd (“800 Super Waste”), has been convicted under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) for demanding kickbacks, or payments from five migrant workers as a condition for their continued employment with the company. He was sentenced to 49 days of imprisonment. 

2 Koh faced a total of 24 charges under the EFMA for demanding kickbacks as a condition for their employment or continued employment. He pleaded guilty to five charges involving five migrant workers, with 19 other charges taken into consideration for the purposes of sentencing.

Case Details

3 As the site manager at 800 Super Waste, Koh was responsible for recruiting and managing conservancy workers providing estate cleaning and maintenance services for town councils, as well as applying for and renewing their work permits. 

4 Koh admitted to receiving kickbacks ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 from five migrant workers as a condition for their continued employment with 800 Super Waste. He received a total of $18,000 from the five workers between June and July 2021.

Advisory

5 Demanding or receiving employment kickbacks from migrant workers is a serious offence, and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will not hesitate to take enforcement action against individuals who exploit migrant workers for monetary gain. Under the EFMA, demanding or receiving kickbacks carries a fine of up to $30,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, per charge.

6 Migrant workers who suspect that they are being asked to give kickbacks can seek help by calling MOM at 6438 5122 or the Migrant Workers' Centre at 6536 2692.

7 Members of the public who are aware of suspicious employment activities, or who know of persons or employers who contravene the EFMA, should report the matter to MOM via MOM's eService “Report an infringement”. All information will be kept strictly confidential.