Latest news with #EthanGuo
New Paper
3 days ago
- Business
- New Paper
MOM investigating alleged misuse of work passes meant for foreign students and trainees
Investigations are under way into what a support group for migrant workers brands a "job scam" centred on misuse of work passes. Training Employment Passes give foreign students and intra-corporate trainees the right to work here for three months, but they have allegedly been used to employ foreign workers in lower-skilled roles not allowed under the pass. Some of the probes surrounding breaches of the pass requirements have already been completed, with more to come, noted the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on June 6. It did not disclose how many reports it had received. The pass allows foreign students or trainees from a company's overseas office or subsidiary to undergo practical training for professional, managerial, executive or specialist jobs here for up to three months. Trainees must earn a minimum fixed salary of $3,000 a month. The work attachment for student applicants must be tied to their studies. They must either be studying in an "acceptable institution" or earning at least $3,000 a month. The investigation comes after 13 TEP holders sought help in recent months from advocacy group Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2). They were hired by employers to take up various roles with a lower skill level than the pass appears to allow. Five of the 13 were put to work in a food and beverage establishment, five in a warehouse and two in cleaning companies, while one ended up in a "tour coach agency", TWC2 said on its website in May. The 13 people had turned to TWC2 over a period of about five months starting in December 2024. "We have never before seen so many workers on this kind of work pass in such a short time," TWC2 said. The group added that nearly all the 13 complained about salary irregularities, including being paid below the $3,000 stated minimum, though at least one found long working hours to be the biggest problem. "However, when we found out more about the circumstances which led to their working in Singapore, we could see the contours of a rapidly widening job scam," TWC2 noted. The workers had been designated as "management executives" despite performing menial tasks such as washing dishes, it added. They were often not sent to the MOM to have their TEP issued until nearly 30 days after arrival, effectively meaning they worked an additional fourth month without a pass being issued. TWC2 executive director Ethan Guo told The Straits Times that a common feature was that most of the workers were coming to work for the first time in Singapore and had arrived relatively recently. "This showed that these were young, impressionable and vulnerable foreigners with little or no knowledge of employment laws in Singapore," Mr Guo noted. He added that the group could not confirm if there has been a sudden uptick in the number of TEP holders reporting salary irregularities. "What has happened of late was a concerted effort by TWC2 to educate migrant workers on the correct payment of their salaries, and this could have resulted in more workers with such problems coming forward to seek help from us," he said. There may have been many more victims in the past who did not realise they have been scammed, or did not have an avenue for assistance. Mr Guo said TWC2's concern lies with workers who have been misled into jobs they paid huge sums to agents for and then put into "legal jeopardy once they agree". He noted that the attempts to dodge the TEP requirements may have arisen as a work-around for industries "desperate for cheap foreign labour". "A more holistic response would be a review of work permit quotas for these industry sectors like logistics, cleaning and food and beverage." But Mr Guo added that TWC2 is not advocating a massive liberalisation in foreign workforce policy, as making cheap labour too easily available could blunt the incentive for employers to pursue automation and productivity improvements. The MOM also said it performs additional checks and audits on selected TEP applications, such as requesting proof of training programmes and foreign offices or subsidiaries. It noted that it will take action against errant employers, including suspending their work pass privileges, imposing financial penalties or even prosecution. The ministry also encouraged affected workers to reach out for assistance.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
MOM investigating alleged misuse of work passes meant for foreign students and trainees
MOM said some of the probes surrounding breaches of the pass requirements have already been completed with more to come. PHOTO: ST FILE SINGAPORE – Investigations are underway into what a support group for migrant workers brands a 'job scam' centred on misuse of work passes. Training Employment Passes give foreign students and intra-corporate trainees the right to work here for three months, but they have allegedly been used to employ foreign workers in lower-skilled roles that are not allowed under the pass. Some of the probes surrounding breaches of the pass requirements have already been completed with more to come, noted the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on June 6. It did not disclose how many reports it had received. The pass allows foreign students or trainees from a company's overseas office or subsidiary to undergo practical training for professional, managerial, executive or specialist jobs here for up to three months. Trainees must earn a minimum fixed salary of $3,000 a month. The work attachment f or student applicants must be tied to their studies. T hey must either be studying in an 'acceptable institution' or earning at least $3,000 a month. The investigation comes after 13 TEP holders sought help in recent months from advocacy group Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2). They were hired by employers to take up various roles with a lower skill level than the pass appears to allow. Five of the 13 were put to work in a food and beverage establishment, five in a warehouse, two in cleaning companies while one ended up in a 'tour coach agency',TWC2 said on its website last month. The 13 people had turned to TWC2 over a period of about five months starting in December 2024. 'We have never before seen so many workers on this kind of work pass in such a short time,' TWC2 said. The group added that nearly all the 13 complained about salary irregularities, including being paid below the $3,000 stated minimum, though at least one found long working hours to be the biggest problem. 'However, when we found out more about the circumstances which led to their working in Singapore, we could see the contours of a rapidly widening job scam,' TWC2 noted. The workers had been designated as 'management executives' despite performing menial tasks such as washing dishes, it added. They were often not sent to the MOM to have their TEP issued until nearly 30 days after arrival, effectively meaning they worked an additional fourth month without a pass being issued. TWC2 executive director Ethan Guo told The Straits Times that a common feature was that most of the workers were coming to work for the first time in Singapore and had arrived relatively recently. 'This showed that these were young, impressionable and vulnerable foreigners with little or no knowledge of employment laws in Singapore,' Mr Guo noted. He added that the group could not confirm if there has been a sudden uptick in the number of TEP holders reporting salary irregularities. 'What has happened of late was a concerted effort by TWC2 to educate migrant workers on the correct payment of their salaries, and this could have resulted in more workers with such problems coming forward to seek help from us,' he said. They may have been many more victims in the past who did not realise they have been scammed, or did not have an avenue for assistance. Mr Guo said TWC2's concern lies with workers who have been misled into jobs they paid huge sums to agents for and then put into 'legal jeopardy once they agree'. He noted that the attempts to dodge the TEP requirements may have arisen as a work-around for industries 'desperate for cheap foreign labour'. 'A more holistic response would be a review of work permit quotas for these industry sectors like logistics, cleaning and food and beverage.' However, Mr Guo added that TWC2 is not advocating a massive liberalisation in foreign workforce policy, as making cheap labour too easily available could blunt the incentive for employers to pursue automation and productivity improvements. The MOM also said it performs additional checks and audits on selected TEP applications, such as requesting proof of training programmes and foreign offices or subsidiaries. It noted that it will take action against errant employers, including suspending their work pass privileges, imposing financial penalties or even prosecution. The ministry also encouraged affected workers to reach out for assistance. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Teen pilot on historic flight against cancer makes Bay Area stop
The Brief 19-year-old Ethan Guo is flying solo to all seven continents to raise $1 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He made a stop in Palo Alto this week, nearing the final stretch of his historic journey. PALO ALTO, Calif. - A 19-year-old pilot on a mission to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents made a stop in Palo Alto Sunday. But for Ethan Guo, the journey is about far more than setting records - it's a personal flight against cancer. With just 20 countries and two continents left, Guo is nearing the final stretch of a journey that's taken him across five continents, through extreme weather, mechanical failures, and long stretches of solitude. His goal is to raise $1 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in honor of his cousin, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkins' lymphoma, just as Guo was beginning his global trip. "It was extremely unexpected because he was young, 17, 18 at that time," Guo said. "And it was stage 4 blood cancer, which is not very good unfortunately, and I was like, 'what can I do to help?'" Guo says his love for flying started early. At 13, he discovered a passion for aviation. By 17, he had earned his private pilot's license, and was homeschooled to accommodate flight training and preparation. Now, at just 19, he's about a month away from making history. Guo is piloting a 50-year-old, specially modified Cessna 182, often flying for hours without food or water. The idea to dedicate his flight to cancer research came shortly after his cousin's diagnosis. He's amassed over a million Instagram followers and support from sponsors. Along the way, he's visited children's hospitals, hoping to inspire young patients to keep dreaming. Guo's journey hasn't come without danger. He's battled extreme weather, mechanical failures, even detainment in Myanmar. And he's faced the loneliness that comes with flying solo for about a year. "To be honest, many times I am scared," he said. "It's not a guarantee that I'll be able to complete this journey and on many fronts there are risks... but I think if you have something that you believe in and you find something that you believe is worth fighting for, I think even with the risk you should take it on." There's been plenty of beauty, joy and unexpected friendships along the way too. Today, Ethan leads a 10-person support team. "One thing I've been able to confirm is I like taking on hard tasks," he said. "Given the opportunity at times, we give up on this journey or many obstacles that I face that I could have easily given up, I think it's only inspired me to work harder." His advice to others? "What people often don't realize - if you take a massive goal and you break it down to digestible pieces it's actually very much attainable," Guo said. "So what I say to people is aim as big as you can, break it down to digestible steps and work towards it step by step." From the Bay Area, Guo will continue south to Los Angeles, Cabo San Lucas, and then head to South America before ending his historic flight in Antarctica. He's also happy to report that his cousin is now in remission. As for what's next? Guo is considering college, a return to the startup world, or possibly launching his own company. But first, he says, he's hoping to squeeze in a trip to In-N-Out before leaving California.
