Ministry of Manpower probes 45 firms linked to SATS for work pass violations

Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Nov 2 that it is investigating roughly 45 firms connected to airport ground services provider SATS and its subcontractors for suspected work pass offences, including false salary and occupation declarations and the illegal deployment of foreign workers. The ministry identified around 270 workers whose Employment Passes may have been used for baggage-handling duties that differed from the roles stated in their applications.

"MOM has directed SATS to strengthen its oversight of the companies that they have contracted, which includes verifying that foreign workers are deployed in accordance with their work passes and rectifying any compliance deficiencies," the ministry said in a media statement.

SATS confirmed that a routine internal audit had uncovered work-pass irregularities among some contractors and that it had taken action against firms that failed to meet contractual and legal standards. The company said it shared the list of affected contractors and workers with MOM and has completed a comprehensive assessment of its contractor workforce at Changi Airport.

"We are committed to partnering MOM to continue to strengthen our oversight of our contractor companies and to ensure they meet their obligations under the law," SATS said.

The airline ground-service provider added that it has enhanced internal verification processes to ensure contractors deploy workers in line with the parameters of their work passes and is working with the SATS Workers’ Union to maintain trust and fair treatment for employees. MOM noted that violations can result in fines of up to S$20,000 and imprisonment of up to two years for false declarations, and fines of up to S$10,000 and hiring bans for illegal deployment.

Investigations remain ongoing, and SATS declined to provide further details on the audit timeline or the proportion of its contractor pool under probe.