A former site manager in Singapore has been jailed for 49 days after admitting that he demanded payments from migrant workers as a condition of keeping their jobs.
Koh Kim Sia, formerly employed by 800 Super Waste Management, pleaded guilty to five charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. Nineteen additional charges were taken into consideration at sentencing.
Koh had responsibility for recruiting and supervising conservancy workers who performed cleaning and maintenance for town councils. He also handled applications and renewals for their work permits. The Ministry of Manpower said he received between S$2,000 and S$4,000 from each of five workers in June and July 2021, a total of S$18,000.
The conviction and sentence are final at first instance unless appealed. The ministry noted that each kickback offence can carry a fine of up to S$30,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, and urged workers to report suspected demands.
Official Ministry of Manpower release
