MOM takes a serious view of employers who ill-treat or abuse their foreign workers, especially those in domestic employment.
Penalties for offenders
Employers who abuse their Foreign Workers will be severely dealt with. The Singapore Police conducts prompt and thorough investigations into all such cases. Errant employers will be charged in court and those found guilty of physical abuse or ill-treatment will be jailed, fined and/or caned.
Convicted employers and their spouses will not be allowed to employ another FDW permanently.
Some of the offences and the associated penalties are listed below:
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Voluntarily causing hurt | Up to 1 year imprisonment and/or $1,500 fine |
| Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means | Up to 5 years imprisonment, fine or caning, or any 2 of these punishments |
| Voluntarily causing grievous hurt | Up to 7 years imprisonment; offenders are also liable to be fine or caned |
| Wrongful confinement | Up to 1 year imprisonment and/or $1,000 fine |
| Wrongful confinement for 3 or more days | Up to 2 years imprisonment and/or fine |
| Wrongful confinement for 10 or more days | Up to 3 years imprisonment and fine |
| Word or gesture intended to insult the modesty of a woman | Up to 1 year imprisonment and/or fine |
| Assault or use of criminal force on a person with intent to outrage modesty | Up to 2 years imprisonment, fine or caning, or any 2 such punishments |
| Outraging of modesty | Up to 2 years imprisonment and/or fine If hurt or fear of hurt is caused: Caning and 2 – 10 years imprisonment |
| Rape | 8 – 20 years imprisonment and caning with not less than 12 strokes |
| Criminal intimidation | Up to 2 years imprisonment and/or fine If threat is to cause death or grievous hurt: Up to 7 years imprisonment or more and/or fine |