In Singapore, it is a serious offence to run an employment agency without a license. Anyone who does may face a punishment of up to SG$80,000 or jailed for up to 2 years or both. Under the Employment Agencies Act 1958, employment agencies in Singapore, and their employees must only provide services that relate to the employment of people in Singapore and to maintain an employment agency license.
Consequences of Using an Unlicensed Employment Agency
It is risky to use an unlicensed employment agency – anyone who does may also be committing a crime.
There are only a few situations where an employment agency does not need a license:
- If the employment agency recruits workers for its own employees. For example, companies that recruit migrant domestic workers (MDWs) under the ‘Household Service Scheme’ do not need a license, but the company must be registered with the Singaporean government and have gotten the Singaporean government’s permission.
- If the employment agency recruits people through the internet or online. However, the employment agency cannot claim to be licensed or advertise themselves as licensed if they do not have a license.
- If the employment agency has a platform to find jobs – for example, sharing a job posting on a Facebook group.
Risks of Using an Unlicensed Employment Agency
- Being illegally charged for services that you did not get (for example, being overcharged)
- The MDW being put in part-time work or work outside of Singapore that might put the MDW at risk
- The employment agency might not process the MDW’s visa properly, which might result in an MDW entering Singapore illegally
- The employment agency might place the MDW in a job that puts the MDW at risk of being trafficked.
How Can I Know If My Employment Agency is Licensed and Operating Legally?
The Singaporean Ministry of Manpower (‘MoM’) has a website where you can check if your employment agency is properly licensed. You can also check for any employment agencies who have had their license revoked or are under monitoring by the Singapore Government.
Helpful Tips
- Call the police at 999 if you are in immediate danger.
- Keep your evidence carefully – any documents, recordings or photos should be kept safely in case you decide to make a complaint or report the employment agency.
- If you find another MDW who has been overcharged, you can work together to report the employment agency together and potentially submit a case in court. If you want to do this, it is best to get legal advice from a lawyer or an NGO.
- Consider reporting the agency to the Commissioner of Employment Agencies or the Police. If you need help with this, you may wish to contact a legal advisor or an NGO listed in the ‘resources’ section below.
- Consider submitting a case to court for compensation (money). If you wish to do this, you should contact a legal advisor or NGO to get legal advice on if you have a strong case first.
- Do not pay any money to any ‘middle man’ or middle person. This is risky as your money might get lost or not reach the employment agency. Always deal with the employment agency directly.
