The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating around 45 companies involved in Changi Airport operations for suspected work pass offences and infringements.
This comes after Employment Pass (EP) and other work pass holders were found performing baggage-handling services, MOM said in a press release on Monday (2 Nov).
The EP holders were found handling baggage at Changi Airport during a recent inspection, MOM said.
According to preliminary investigations, the salaries and occupations declared to MOM for these EP holders may have been false.
Applicants for the EP, meant for foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs), should have a minimum monthly salary of S$5,600.
MOM also found other work pass holders handling baggage, which was different from their declared occupations.
Source: Changi Airport on Facebook
The 45 companies are thus under probe for suspected offences and infringements under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 (EFMA), MOM said.
Among other things, they are suspected of making false declarations and deploying foreign workers illegally.
So far, the deployment of about 270 workers may not have complied with work pass regulations, according to the investigations.
These workers were employed by contractors and sub-contractors of SATS Ltd, which is the primary ground service provider for Changi Airport.
MOM has directed SATS to strengthen its oversight of its contractors.
This includes verifying that foreign workers are deployed in accordance with their work passes and rectifying any shortfalls in compliance.
MOM also reminded other companies involved in SATS’ operations that they have an obligation to comply with the EFMA and applicable work pass requirements.
In a media statement on the same day, SATS said it had found work pass-related irregularities involving workers employed by its contractors during a routine internal audit.
“Immediate action” was taken against the contractors that did not comply with applicable laws and did not meet contractual standards and obligations.
Source: SATS
A “broader review” of the practices of other SATS contractors has been taken and a comprehensive assessment and audit of contractors’ workers deployed in Changi Airport has been completed, it noted, adding:
SATS takes non-compliance by contractor companies seriously and will take the necessary actions against any contractor companies found to have breached applicable laws and our contractual obligations.
In support of MOM’s investigations, SATS has shared a list of contractors and workers with the ministry.
Since then, SATS has been working closely with MOM and stakeholders on the probe.
It has also “enhanced internal verification process controls to ensure that contractor workers are deployed in accordance with the parameters of their respective work passes and we are rectifying compliance deficiencies in accordance with MOM’s guidelines” as of Monday.
In an engagement with SATS Workers’ Union (SATSWU), it emphasised that robust checks and controls over the contractor workers are important.
SATSWU was assured that the matter was being looked into and that SATS would continue to maintain workers’ trust and ensure their fair treatment together with the union.
MOM said that it would take enforcement action over any breaches of the law and resolved to continue conducting checks.
Under the EFMA, employers who make a false declaration in a work pass application may be jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to S$20,000.
Those who deploy a foreign employee illegally may be fined up to S$10,000 and barred from hiring work pass holders.
Also read: Minimum qualifying salary for Employment Pass applicants raised to S$5,600 from Jan 2025
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Featured image from MS News and adapted from Changi Airport on Facebook.