2 days ago
Forum: MOM takes firm stance against misuse of Training Employment Pass
We refer to the article 'Attempted misuse of work pass for foreign students or trainees ongoing for years: Industry insiders' (June 24).
The Training Employment Pass (TEP) allows employers to provide opportunities for foreign students and intra-corporate trainees to undergo practical training in Singapore for up to three months and is not renewable.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has been monitoring TEP numbers. MOM has mounted several proactive operations to detect abuse of the TEP scheme. Arising from these operations, about 70 companies are now being investigated for offences such as making false declarations in work pass applications.
Making false declarations is a serious offence. If convicted, an offender can be fined up to $20,000, or jailed for up to two years, or both. Errant employers will also have their work pass privileges suspended.
MOM has established that some workers were misled by employers or agents who falsely promised that the TEP could be renewed or extended beyond the three-month validity period. In some cases, workers were told that the declared salary and work duration in their In-Principle Approval (IPA) letters were merely to comply with MOM regulations, and that private arrangements such as lower salaries or longer employment periods could be done. Such practices are a serious breach of MOM regulations and amount to circumventing work pass conditions.
Workers are reminded to review their IPA letters carefully, which clearly state their salary, occupation, and the period of employment which the TEP is granted for. Affected workers may reach out to MOM for assistance.
Adrian Quek
Divisional Director
Foreign Manpower Management Division
Ministry of Manpower
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