CCS Issues Proposed Infringement Decision Against Employment Agencies

13 May 2011

(View Media Release in PDF)

1. The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) has today issued a Proposed Infringement Decision (PID) against 16 employment agencies for contravening Section 34 of the Competition Act (Cap.50B), which prohibits, amongst other things, price-fixing activities.
   
   
2. The 16 employment agencies are found to have engaged in anti-competitive conduct by meeting to discuss collectively raising the monthly salary of new Indonesian foreign domestic workers (FDW) in Singapore to $450. This object to price-fix to prevent, restrict or distort competition is a breach of the Competition Act. Employment agencies should determine the salaries of new Indonesian foreign domestic workers independently without discussion or agreement with any other employment agency.
   
   
3. The PID is a written notice setting out the basis for CCS’ decision. It is issued to the parties concerned, to give them an opportunity to submit their arguments to CCS, and submit any other information for consideration, before CCS finalizes its decision on whether there has been an infringement. 
   
   
4. All the parties have until 27 June 2011 to make such representations. Refer to Annex for the list of 16 Employment Agencies.

For media clarifications, please contact:

Ms Nur Sahara Mohamed Sadik
Senior Assistant Director, External Engagement
Competition Commission of Singapore
Email: nur_sahara_mohd_sadik@ccs.gov.sg 
DID: 6325 8303   

Ms Cynthia Chin
Senior Assistant Director, External Engagement
Competition Commission of Singapore
Email: cynthia_chin@ccs.gov.sg 
DID: 6325 8216 

About The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS)

CCS is a statutory board established under the Act on 1 January 2005 to administer and enforce the Competition Act.  The Act empowers CCS to investigate alleged anti-competitive activities, determine if such activities infringe the Act and impose suitable remedies, directions and financial penalties.

For more information, please visit www.ccs.gov.sg.

ANNEX

16 Employment Agencies:

1.  Arrow Employment Pte Ltd
2.  Best Home Employment Agency Pte Ltd
3.  Comfort Employment Pte Ltd
4.  Crislo Employment Agency Pte Ltd
5.  Crislo Resources 
6.  Homekeeper International Pte Ltd
7.  Jack Focus Management Pte Ltd
8.  Javamaids
9.  JPB International Services
10.  Maid Management Services Pte Ltd
11.  Nation Employment Pte Ltd
12.  Net Resources Recruitment
13.  Nora Employment Agency
14.  SLF Green Maid Agency
15.  Swift Personnel Pte Ltd
16.  TM Global HR Consultancy