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Singaporean woman charged for not paying maid for a year

(PHOTO: Agence France-Presse)
(PHOTO: Agence France-Presse)

A Singaporean woman who failed to pay her domestic worker’s wages for almost a year has been charged in court, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in a press release on Thursday (17 August).

Li Jun, 30, faces 13 charges for breaching work permit conditions under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. She was charged on Tuesday. Li is alleged to have failed to pay her maid any salary between 7 March 2016 and 21 February 2017. This represents a total of about $5,700 in monthly salaries and rest-day pay.

If convicted, she may be fined up to $10,000, jailed up to 12 months, or both, on each charge. Li’s case will be heard again in court on 12 September. She has also been barred from hiring any foreign domestic worker (FDW).

Employers are required by law to pay their domestic workers no later than seven days after the last day of the salary period. Each salary period cannot exceed one month. In addition, employers should not keep their workers’ salaries on their behalf, nor should they make this arrangement as a condition for their employment, said the MOM.

If you know of any FDW who has not been paid her salary, you can report the matter to the MOM at mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg or call 6438 5122. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

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