The CPF Board (CPFB) has recovered about $378.2 million in CPF arrears, benefitting over 288,000 employees, from cases closed in 2014. The CPF arrears recovered were from underpayment, non-payment and late payment of CPF contributions by employers.
Of the $378.2 million, $14.0 million were for cases of underpayment or non-payment which the CPFB had recovered from close to 2,000 employers in industries such as security, cleaning and food & beverage. This benefitted more than 9,300 employees.
The remaining $364.2 million recovered came from an average of 4,300 employers who were late in making CPF contributions each month in 2014. The timely detection and follow-up enforcement actions assisted more than 279,000 workers.
Mr Ng Hock Keong, CPFB Group Director of Employer Collections and Enforcement said, "Since the launch of the WorkRight campaign three years ago to raise awareness of workers' CPF rights, we are starting to see the fruits of our labour. There was a close to 50% reduction in the number of non-compliant employers who did not pay or underpaid their employees' CPF contributions from cases closed in 2014. Both employers and employees must recognise the importance of having CPF contributions as it helps employees meet their retirement, housing and healthcare needs."
One of the largest sums of CPF arrears recovered in 2014 arose from 11 complainants who were employees of a beauty services company. They had approached CPFB between 2012 and 2013 to report that their employer had underpaid on their monthly CPF contributions. Upon investigation, the Board detected underpayment of CPF contributions on commission, and the employer had also deducted the employer's share of CPF contributions on basic salary from its employees' commission. The recovery actions benefitted close to 100 employees in the company and over $770,000 in CPF arrears were recovered. In addition, the employer refunded over $50,000 to the employees for deducting the employer's share of CPF on basic salary from their commission.
Employers should take note that CPF is payable on commissions, and may be classified as Additional Wages or Ordinary Wages, depending on when the commissions are paid out to employees. More information can be found at www.cpf.gov.sg.
Convictions of non-compliance with CPF Act in 2014
From 1 January 2014, the general penalties for non-compliance with the CPF Act were raised. First-time offenders may be fined up to $5,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 6 months. Subsequent offenders may face fines of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 12 months.
There were 46 convictions for non-payment and underpayment of CPF, and 223 convictions for late payment last year. All convicted employers were fined and ordered to pay the CPF arrears by the State Court.
Employers are reminded of their CPF obligations to their local employees. Workers should also check their CPF accounts via the CPF website regularly to ensure that their employers have made the correct CPF contributions. To report non-payment or underpayment of CPF contributions, or non-compliance with the Employment Act, members of the public can call 1800-221-9922 or email mom_lrwd@mom.gov.sg. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.
Public Enquiries
For more information, please visit www.cpf.gov.sg or call the CPF Call Centre at 1800-227-1188.