Employment agent jailed over invalid licence

Singaporean woman failed to pay a $50,000 fine for running the unauthorised business

Employment agent jailed over invalid licence
A Singapore employment agent had been jailed for operating without a valid licence after she was unable to pay the initial five-figure fine.

Noor Hayah Gulam, who pleaded guilty to the offence, was sentenced to 10 weeks behind bars as she was unable to pay the $50,000 penalty handed down on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Manpower confirmed Noor had performed employment agency work between November 2014 and March 2016 despite being unauthorised to do so.

“She posted job advertisements on the Web portal for job seekers and employers in the name of another licenced employment agency, collected biodata and resumes, conducted recruitment interviews, sourced for potential employers and matched the workers with employers,” MOM said in a statement released following the judgement.
It was revealed that 60-year-old Noor also collected agency fees amounting to about $25,665 from employers for services rendered. She also adopted the name of a valid firm in order to convince clients of her authenticity.

Offenders convicted of performing employment agency activities without a valid licence can be jailed for up to two years and fined a maximum of $80,000.

“MOM will take firm action against such errant individuals,” said Jeanette Har, from the ministry's foreign manpower management division.


Related stories:
MOM continues crackdown on companies illegally hiring foreign workers
MOM takes down illegal employment syndicate
 

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