Employers to buy health insurance for foreign employees
Starting 1 January 2008, employers of foreign workers are required to buy medical insurance as healthcare subsidies for foreign workers will be withdrawn. The coverage of at least S$5,000 per year will be for both inpatient care and day surgery during his or her stay in Singapore. The new ruling will also apply to employers who are renewing the work permits of existing foreign workers from 1 January 2008. Thus, the insurance requirement will apply to all new and existing foreign workers on a Work Permit or S Pass and all new foreign domestic workers.
Firm convicted of illegally hiring foreign workers
Poh Kong Environment Services and its general manager, Chai Poh Kong, are convicted of employing more than 100 foreign workers without valid work permits. The workers had permits to perform duties only for marine companies. However, the company in the conservancy sector asked them to perform sweeping, cleaning and grass-cutting duties between October 2002 and August 2006. The company has been fined more than S$300,000, whereas Chai faces 16 months' imprisonment. This is not the first time the company and Chai are convicted of illegally employing foreigners without valid work permit.
Domestic worker jailed for hurting her ward
A Singapore court sentenced a Filipino domestic worker to 10 months' imprisonment for breaking the right arm of her employer's three-month-old baby boy. Karen Jimenez Francisco, 27, was doing household chores when the baby started crying. She admitted to jerking the infant out of a baby car seat carrier, without realizing that his right arm was trapped. The movement resulted in a fracture at the mid-shaft of the infant's right arm. The incident occurred on 29 August 2006.
3 Burmese caught for illegal entry
The Police Coast Guard arrested three irregular immigrants who tried to enter the country by swimming. They were found in Singapore waters between 10 and 11 September. The three are believed to be Burmese, aged between 17 and 28.
Sources: Lynda Hong, "Conservancy firm fined, general manager jailed for illegal employment," Channel News Asia, 3 September 2007; "Singapore court jails Pinay for hurting her ward," GMANews.TV, 7 September 2007; Lynda Hong, "Three illegal immigrants arrested for unlawful entry into Singapore," Channel News Asia, 12 September 2007; S. Ramesh, "Employers to buy medical insurance for foreign workers," Channel News Asia, 13 September 2007; DPA, "Thai workers in S'pore need insurance," Bangkok Post, 14 September 2007; "A medical safety net for foreign workers," Today, 14 September 2007