Summary of the case
A Singaporean man was sentenced to three weeks in jail after pleading guilty to making a false statement to the controller of work passes, one of the core offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. The court noted that a second related charge—allowing his girlfriend to work as a part-time babysitter without a valid work pass—was considered in sentencing.
Background: how the scheme began
The relationship between the defendant, a 45-year-old Singaporean operations technician, and the Filipina woman—identified in court documents only as a former migrant domestic helper—began in 2021 amidst the disruptions of the COVID-19 era. In early February 2024, the woman requested a transfer that would allow her to stay in Singapore by being employed under the man’s name. She was facing a potential job termination from her current employer, which spurred discussions about altering her status to maintain her presence in the country.
The false application
On February 28, 2024, the man submitted an application to the controller of work passes requesting a work permit for a domestic helper. Crucially, he declared that he would employ the woman as his domestic helper—despite not intending to employ her in that capacity. A work permit was subsequently issued for the woman on March 9, 2024, enabling her to legally stay in Singapore under the permit.
The real arrangements at the heart of the case
From March to July 2024, the woman lived at the man’s home as his girlfriend for four to five nights a week but did not perform any domestic helper duties. Instead, she worked as a babysitter for another party and spent two to three nights weekly at that location. The man was aware of this arrangement and gave his consent for her to work as a babysitter while the work permit remained under his name.
The legal outcome and sentencing rationale
The Ministry of Manpower prosecutor had sought a sentence of four weeks’ jail. Defense lawyers argued for a lighter sentence of two weeks, stressing the defendant’s personal circumstances, including his status as a divorced father who has been the primary caregiver to his son since 2008. The court ultimately imposed a three-week jail term on the man, mirroring the sentence already given to the girlfriend earlier in September for her participation in the same sham arrangement.
Defense perspective and court observations
According to the defence, the man did not act out of greed but out of a misguided desire to help someone he loved. The defence characterized the girlfriend as the mastermind of the scheme and suggested the man did not enjoy any financial gain. The lawyer emphasized the emotional and personal toll on the man’s life, including the impact on his relationship with his girlfriend, who is now facing deportation after serving her sentence.
Implications and broader context
This case highlights the strict controls surrounding employment passes in Singapore and the severe consequences of attempting to game the system. The Employment of Foreign Manpower Act is intended to regulate foreign workers’ legal status, and individuals who attempt to alter or misrepresent work-pass information can face serious penalties, including imprisonment and fines. The court’s decision to align the man’s sentence with the girlfriend’s reflects a judicial approach aimed at maintaining parity in similar offenses.
What happens next
Jennie, the Filipina involved in the case, has been sentenced to three weeks in jail and will face a deportation outcome after serving her term. For the man, the sentence will impact his ability to re-enter Singapore in the future, a consequence that extends beyond the immediate legal penalties and into personal and familial plans.
Takeaway
In Singapore, attempts to circumvent work-pass regulations carry real consequences, underscoring the importance of compliant processes when hiring or employing foreign workers. The case serves as a cautionary tale for individuals who might consider similar arrangements in an effort to support loved ones overseas.
