26/05/2021 Cases of false declaration of Singapore migrant workers' salaries rising, says NGO, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Ti… MOM tackling false salary reports with tech, education The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said it takes a multi-pronged approach to tackling false declarations of salaries. The ministry told The Straits Times that it has improved the detection of such offences by using data analytics and machine learning tools to find unusual recruitment patterns. It has also stepped up efforts to educate foreign workers that it is wrong for their employers not to pay them their declared salaries, and to seek help or report cases to MOM early. Employers are also reminded of their responsibilities. Mr Luke Tan, a case work manager at the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home), said the non-profit group makes a great effort to empower workers with knowledge of such practices, but it is near impossible to reach workers while they are in their home countries. Mr Tan added: "Workers are disadvantaged because work pass applications do not require verification of their informed consent. Everything is done by the employer or agents. Workers can be unaware of what is declared to MOM." Ms Goh Seow Hui, a partner at law firm Bird & Bird ATMD, said one way to deter such cases is for MOM to require employers to produce a copy of the written employment agreement at the work pass application stage. Another solution being mooted is electronic salary payment. Currently, work permit holders are able to request that their salaries be paid to their bank accounts electronically, and it is mandatory for their employers to do so upon request. An S Pass holder's salary must be paid electronically. Due to Covid-19, the vast majority of foreign workers living in dormitories are also paid electronically. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/cases-of-false-declaration-of-migrant-workers-salaries-rising-says-ngo-0 6/11