The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating an allegedly fraudulent work injury claim flagged by Ms 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 questions during a media doorstop at the Tripartite Connect event on July 24, he said MOM “has been in communication with Ms Lee prior to her passing, and we will work with the insurer on the necessary claims”.
There is also a police investigation, and more details will be revealed once the probe is completed, he said.
Ms 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.
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 small and medium-sized (SME) enterprise owners to speak out about the immense pressure they face when handling workplace injury cases, whether they are staged or genuine.
“For cases where there are egregious behaviours of employees, then action has to be taken to ensure that it is in the interest of the employees themselves not to be injured,” said Mr Dinesh.
The Straits Times
