SINGAPORE – The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating an allegedly fraudulent work injury claim flagged by Mrs Jane Lee, the late owner of Sumo Salad, said Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash as he extended his condolences to her family.

In response to The Straits Times’ questions during a media doorstop at the Tripartite Connect event on July 24, he said MOM “had been in touch with her even before her passing, and we plan to continue the necessary work that we are doing with the family”.

“It is important for us to also realise that, as the investigations are ongoing, understandably, we can’t say much at this point in time, but if there were any egregious behaviors, we will be taking the appropriate actions as necessary,” he said.

Mrs Lee died a day after posting two Facebook messages on July 18, alleging that a former staff member had faked a fall just two days before the end of her contract, in an attempt to claim workplace injury compensation from the company.

In circumstances where there are egregious behaviors on the part of employees, he said action will be taken to “ensure that it is in the interest of the employees themselves not to be injured”.

The mother of two alleged that it was a premeditated scheme involving the employee’s husband and possibly a law firm.

She also urged MOM and the police to investigate the validity of the claim thoroughly.

The incident has sparked widespread public sympathy and prompted some SME owners to speak out about the immense pressure facing them when handling workplace injury cases.

In a statement on July 21, MOM said it has been “looking into the alleged fraudulent work injury claim made by a worker employed by EatGreen Pte Ltd, which operates Sumo Salad”.

The worker involved was covered under the Work Injury Compensation Act (Wica), MOM added.

Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash extended his condolences to the family of Mrs Jane Lee, the late owner of Sumo Salad.

ST PHOTO: SHARON SALIM

Wica allows employees to claim for injuries and occupational diseases that happen at work or as a result of work.

But those who abuse the system have previously been taken to task. In 2021, two foreign employees were sentenced to three and four weeks in jail respectively for making fraudulent claims under Wica, and providing false information to an MOM officer.

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