A Singaporean man, Faizal Farid, has been sentenced to three weeks’ imprisonment after admitting to falsifying a domestic helper application to help extend his girlfriend’s stay in Singapore. The court found that the arrangement, which misrepresented her role, violated the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).
The scheme and legal charges
- In February 2024, Faizal submitted an application to the Controller of Work Passes to hire his girlfriend, Sotto Jennie Villaron, as a domestic helper, claiming he needed her for domestic duties.
- However, Jennie had no intention of performing helper tasks for him. During the months that the permit was active, she stayed at his home for several nights weekly, but worked elsewhere as a babysitter.
- The court also considered a second charge of facilitating unauthorised work (having her be a part-time babysitter while under a work pass for domestic work). That charge was taken into consideration during sentencing.
- Under the EFMA, making false statements to the Controller of Work Passes is an offence that carries a maximum penalty of two years’ jail, a fine up to S$20,000, or both.
Defence, sentencing and fallout
- The defence argued that Faizal paid Jennie at least S$700 per month on top of her required maid levy, and claimed he had no intent to profit financially from the arrangement.
- They also presented personal mitigating factors: Faizal is divorced, is the sole caregiver for his son, and that he acted under influence from Jennie’s pleas.
- Jennie, 37, had earlier been sentenced to three weeks in jail for her role in the scheme.
- The judge considered the prior sentence and imposed three weeks on Faizal as well, stating that parity and the nature of the offence warranted that outcome.
- Faizal’s work pass application for Jennie was cancelled. Jennie is barred from future employment in Singapore, and authorities indicated she will not be allowed re-entry after her term.
Broader implications & context
- The case underlines how foreign manpower and immigration rules are strictly enforced — attempts to circumvent requirements face stiff legal consequences.
- It also raises questions of personal desperation, immigration constraints, and the lengths to which individuals may go under relationship pressures or fears of separation.
- These kinds of abuses risk undermining the integrity of the work-permit system, which depends on accurate representations of intended employment and roles.
