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COVID-19: MOM bans 89 work-pass holders for breaching entry approval, SHN requirements

The Ministry of Manpower building. (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)
The Ministry of Manpower building. (Yahoo News Singapore file photo)

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has revoked the work passes of 89 holders for breaching entry approval and Stay-Home Notice (SHN) requirements in Singapore amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

It said in a media release on Saturday (21 March) that, of the 89 work passes revoked:

  • 73 work pass holders with travel history to COVID-19 affected countries (those from which travellers would be required to serve a 14-day SHN upon arrival) entered Singapore without obtaining entry approval from MOM,

  • 16 work pass holders were caught breaching the Leave of Absence (LOA) or SHN requirements. Some were caught working at their workplaces. Others were caught leaving their places of residence during the period of their LOA/SHN, even when instructed not to do so. Many of these violations occurred during the first month following the imposition of the SHN requirement. In the second month, the number of violations fell to four.

The workers have been permanently banned from working in Singapore.

MOM has also suspended the work pass privileges of employers for periods ranging from one to three years, as they have failed to discharge their duties to ensure that their employees comply with the LOA/SHN requirements.

Reminder to seek approval before travel

As entry approvals and SHN are now required for work pass holders entering Singapore from anywhere in the world, employers are reminded to seek approval using the online facility for work pass holders to enter or return to Singapore.

They should inform their employees not to make travel plans to Singapore until approval has been obtained from MOM. Upon the employees’ arrival in Singapore, they are required to serve mandatory 14-day SHNs.

MOM said it will continue to take enforcement measures against errant employers or employees who do not comply with the requirements, including the revocation of work passes and suspension of work pass privileges.

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