Singapore Investigates Company for Hiring Workers with Forged University Certificates

Singapore’s Manpower Ministry (MOM) is nearing the conclusion of its inquiry into a company and an employer for hiring two Filipino women who presented forged university certificates with their Employment Pass (EP) applications. The ministry confirmed on Tuesday that enforcement actions are being steadfast.

A spokesperson for MOM stated, “MOM is completing its investigations into the company and employer and will decide on the enforcement action to take against them.”

The two women, identified as Conol Almira Joy Torres and Torres Alyssa Riva Fernan, both 29, received jail sentences on July 17 for their involvement.their fraudulent credentials came to light following a routine inspection by MOM at their employer, CL Enterprise.

In response to inquiries about the situation, the MOM spokesperson clarified the ministry’s stance on employer responsibilities. “Prior to the introduction of the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) in September 2023, employers were primarily responsible for verifying the authenticity of candidates’ qualifications submitted in their Employment Pass applications,” the spokesperson explained.

The ministry also conducts its own checks. “The ministry of Manpower conducts additional random checks on the authenticity of qualifications for selected applications, during the application stage and throughout the employment of the EP holder,” the spokesperson added. “Since September 2023, employers who declare qualifications to earn points under the COMPASS framework are required to submit