Novel coronavirus: MOM cancels work passes and employers' work pass privileges after leave of absence breached

SINGAPORE — Four work pass holders had their work passes revoked and six employers saw their work pass privileges suspended after breaching leave of absence requirements, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in a statement on Sunday (Feb 9).

Four work pass holders were found working at their workplaces during their leave of absence period between Feb 4 and Feb 8.

MOM requires work pass holders who recently travelled to mainland China to serve a mandatory 14-day leave of absence. The leave of absence requirements have been put in place to manage the ongoing novel coronavirus situation in Singapore.

In addition to revoking the four work passes, MOM repatriated the four workers within 24 hours and have permanently banned them from working in Singapore.

MOM also found two permanent residents working at their workplaces during their leave of absence period.

The work pass privileges of all six employers were suspended for two years. MOM did not name the six employers who were suspended or say which sector they are from.

MOM has been conducting regular random checks through inspections, telephone and video calls to ensure that the LOA requirements are being met.

Those with information on work pass holders or employers breaching the leave of absence requirements can email MOM at mom_qops [at] mom.gov.sg or call 6438 5122.