AN INDIAN couple will go to jail after the High Court dismissed their appeals against the sentences for obtaining work passes through false declaration.

Ramasamy Alagu Pandian and his wife Alagu Pandian Latha, both Indian nationals, had falsely declared their educational qualifications in their Employment Pass (EP) applications.

Ramasamy was sentenced to eight weeks jail by a Subordinate court on Dec 28 for abetting his wife, Latha in her EP application using a forged Masters degree. He was also fined $4,000 for making a false declaration in his own application. Latha was given two weeks jail furnishing false information in her EP application. They appealed against the sentences and these were dismissed by the High Court on March 27.

Ramasamy had applied for an EP to work as a managing director for Idea Precision Engineering in April 2005. Investigations revealed that he had submitted a forged Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from the P.S.G. College of Technology & Polytechnic, India, in his application.

He also provided his wife a forged Masters degree from the University of Madras in order to obtain an EP to work as a chief executive accountant at Appollo Sellappa S. In addition, Ramasamy had also supplied forged certificates to two other Indian nationals for their EP applications.

Another three charges were taken into consideration during sentencing, including two charges for supplying forged certificates to two other Indian nationals for their EP applications.

Ramasamy was also sentenced to four weeks jail for making a false declaration in his application for permanent residence in Singapore. The Court ordered both sentences to run concurrently.

Mr Aw Kum Cheong, Divisional Director of the Foreign Manpower Management Division, MOM said in a statement on Monday: 'While MOM processes work pass applications expeditiously to support the needs of businesses, it has also enhanced its capability to detect fraudulent applications.

'We will not hesitate to apply the full force of the law on anyone who attempts to obtain work passes through illegal means. Employers who are involved will also be barred from hiring foreign workers.'

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), making a false declaration in a work pass application is punishable with a fine of up to $15,000 and jail term of up to one year, or both.

In addition, an employer, foreign employee or self-employed foreigner who fails to notify MOM after being aware of any false information submitted as part of their work pass application, will face a fine of up to $5,000 or up to six months' jail, or both.