Domestic worker in S'pore, 72, turns herself in after overstaying visa for 34 years, gets 6 months' jail & S$3,000 fine

Two women from the Philippines, who came to Singapore to work as domestic helpers, had their work permits cancelled after their employers failed to pay the required foreign worker levy.

Both of them later remained in the country illegally for extended periods.

One of them, 72-year-old Flordeliza M Cordeta, overstayed in Singapore for more than 34 years.

According to Shin Min Daily News, she pleaded guilty in court on Dec. 23 to one charge of violating immigration laws and was sentenced to six months' jail and fined S$3,000.

Stayed in Singapore illegally for over 34 years

Citing court documents, Shin Min reported that Flordeliza had obtained a work permit on Oct. 27, 1989, and worked as a domestic helper in Singapore.

However, her permit was cancelled two years later on Jul. 30, 1991, after her employer failed to pay the required foreign worker levy.

Despite this, she did not leave the country and remained in Singapore illegally for 34 years, four months and five days, according to charge sheets seen by Mothership.

She surrendered herself to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Dec. 5 this year.

Another domestic worker overstayed for about 16 years

According to Shin Min, another Filipino woman, 49-year-old Jo Ann Querabu Balbin, also pleaded guilty to one charge of violating immigration laws on Dec. 23.

She was sentenced to six months' jail and fined S$2,000.

Investigations revealed that Jo Ann obtained a work permit on Apr. 7, 2009, which was valid for nearly two years.

However, like Flordeliza, charge sheets revealed that her permit was cancelled on May 15 the same year, after her employer failed to pay the foreign worker levy.

She subsequently overstayed in Singapore for 16 years, six months and five days before turning herself in to the authorities on Dec. 4 this year.

Asked for leniency

The prosecution sought the maximum six-month jail term for both offenders, with caning substituted by fines of S$3,000 for Flordeliza and S$2,000 for Jo Ann.

During mitigation, the pair, both of whom were unrepresented, said they knew they were wrong and asked for leniency, Shin Min reported.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected immigration offences

According to Shin Min, ICA said in a statement that overstaying is a serious offence and carries severe penalties.

It reminded employers and landlords to exercise due diligence in checking the immigration status of foreign workers and tenants before hiring or renting to them, including checking the validity of their work permits with the issuing authority.

Members of the public are also encouraged to report suspected immigration offences to the authorities.

If convicted of negligently harbouring overstayers or illegal immigrants, one may face up to 24 months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$6,000, or both.

Top photos via Immigration & Checkpoints Authority/Facebook