A 34-year-old construction firm boss responsible for accommodation for foreign workers was hit with 18 charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) for failing to provide approved homes for its workers.
Shuang Lin Construction Pte Ltd was also hit with 22 charges under the act for providing false information on foreign workers’ housing in the Online Foreign Worker Address Service, Lianhe Zaobao (Singapore) reported.
The Ministry of Manpower said 18 foreigners were affected between October 2015 up till June 1 to July 26 in 2016, as they had to reside in overcrowded premises at Upper Paya Lebar, MacPherson and Changi.
Officials found that more than eight occupants were housed at the above-mentioned premises, which violated the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s guidelines.
Meanwhile, between March and April 2016, the accused company claimed that 22 workers were living on Tuas South Avenue, which was not the case.
The construction firm official, Li Dan, could be fined up to S$10,000 (US$331) or jailed for up to 12 months, or both on each charge, while the company could face fines up to S$20,000 (US$662) per charge.