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Mary Chia's CEO fined S$2,600 for hiring unapproved foreigners

The CEO of Mary Chia, Singapore’s homegrown beauty and wellness spa brand, has been fined S$2,600 yesterday for employing three foreign women without approval.

Ho Yow Ping, who is also the daughter of the founder, was caught committing the offences in 2015 according to a report in The Straits Times.

The report stated a police officer from the compliance management unit (CMU) of Bedok Division had conducted a check at the Mary Chia Beauty and Slimming Specialist outlet in Tampines that 11 June that year and found Malaysian Chong Yee Ting working there was a senior consultant.

Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Carene Poh mentioned that the Chong's job included supervising therapists and performing facial services on customers. The police officer also found another work permit holder Yang Hong working there as a customer service officer.

Additionally, a police officer from the CMU of central division conducted a check at the Huang Ah Ma The Oriental Spa Chamber at Mosque Street four months later and found Chinese national Lian Meifen working there as a spa manager. The S-pass holder had been tasked to oversee reception matters and arrange for therapists at the outlet.

The report revealed that Ho had also failed to obtain prior written approval from the licensing officer for Lian's employment.

Ho's lawyer, Clement Chen, told district judge Low Wee Ping yesterday that his client had in fact delegated the organisation’s operations to her then-subordinates from the HR department who did not complete the necessary paperwork for the staff involved.

However, Ho has accepted responsibility for the offences and could have been fined up to S$1,000 for each count of employing a worker without the prior written approval of the licensing officer.

Photo / iStock

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