A COMPANY director has been fined $87,360 for abetting the illegal employment of 42 foreign students.

Yeo Tian Ming Benedict - Director of International Cuisine Association of Singapore (ICAS) - was convicted of 14 charges under the Employment of Foreign Workers Act (EFWA).

Another 28 charges were taken into consideration during his sentencing on May 28.

According to investigations by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Yeo had sent 42 foreign students from ICAS and other private schools to work as waiters at various restaurants between Nov 2005 to Nov 2007

He had deceived both the foreign students and employers into believing that the arrangement was legal.

The students, who did not hold valid Work Permits to work in the restaurants, were paid monthly salaries of between $400 and $800.

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, anyone caught hiring foreigners without valid work passes can be fined up to $15,000 and/or jailed up to a year.

This will be over and above the restitution of any levy evaded.

Anyone who abets the illegal employment of foreigners will also face similar penalties.

Foreigners caught working illegally can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed up to 12 months.