Overview of the case
A Singaporean man was sentenced to three weeks in jail after pleading guilty to making a false statement to Singapore’s controller of work passes under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. The man, Faizal Farid, 45, admitted to submitting an application that falsely declared he would employ his girlfriend as a domestic helper, in a bid to extend her stay in Singapore. A second related charge was considered but did not carry separate punishment in the final sentence.
What happened
Faizal began a romantic relationship with Jennie Villaron, a Filipina, in 2021. Jennie was legally employed as a migrant domestic worker at the time. In February 2024, Jennie expressed that her current employer wished to let her go and asked if she could transfer her employment so she could be employed under Faizal’s name to remain in Singapore legally. Faizal agreed on February 28, 2024 and filed an application with the controller of work passes requesting a domestic helper work permit under his name.
In the application, Faizal declared his intent to hire Jennie as his domestic helper, despite not intending to fulfill that role. A work permit was issued for Jennie on March 9, 2024. From March to July 2024, Jennie lived with Faizal as his girlfriend for most nights, but did not perform any domestic helper duties at his home. Instead, she worked as a babysitter for someone else, staying two to three nights per week at that other location.
The legal angle
The case centers on a false statement to the controller of work passes, a violation of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. Faizal’s defense argued that the arrangement arose from Jennie’s insistence and that he acted under personal pressure, not greed. His lawyers contended that Faizal is divorced, has a dependent son, and acted as a sole caregiver, suggesting that his actions stemmed from a misguided effort to help someone he loved rather than a criminal motive.
The court noted that Jennie herself received benefits from the arrangement, including the ability to remain in Singapore under a work pass associated with Faizal’s name, while she spent significant time babysitting elsewhere and not as a formal domestic helper for Faizal. Jennie was previously sentenced to three weeks’ jail for her role in the sham arrangement.
Sentencing and consequences
While the prosecution sought four weeks’ jail, the judge anchored Faizal’s sentence to the same three-week punishment already handed to Jennie, resulting in Faizal’s three-week term. The maximum penalty for making a false statement to the controller of work passes can be up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$20,000, or both. Faizal’s case underscores the severity with which Singapore enforces accurate information on work passes and the potential personal costs of involving loved ones in immigration schemes.
Impact on the individuals involved
Faizal’s life has been significantly affected by the proceedings and the resulting sentence. Jennie’s ability to re-enter Singapore after serving her jail time has been restricted, which could also affect the couple’s future plans to formalize their relationship. In court, Faizal’s counsel emphasized that the act was a misguided attempt to help someone he cared for rather than an attempt to profit, though the law requires a different standard of accountability.
Key takeaways
- False statements on work-permit applications carry serious penalties in Singapore.
- Marital or romantic partners may be implicated in immigration schemes, even if one party claims no financial gain.
- The court treated Faizal’s actions as equally culpable to prior judgments against his partner, Jennie, reflecting the consistent application of the law.
As the individuals involved move forward, the case remains a cautionary tale about the legal implications of manipulating work-pass documents and the personal toll such actions can take on families and future plans in Singapore.
