Japan Foods clarifies MOM has not given details of potential employment breach

JAPAN Foods clarified that its unit Japan Foods Enterprises (JFE) and not the whole group is temporarily prohibited by the authorities from applying or renewing employees’ work passes and that it was not told details of any potential breach.

The food & beverage player stated in its response on Friday (Oct 7) to the Singapore Exchange (SGX) that it has not been given any details by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and it did not want to speculate about the “past hiring and payroll practices” that might have flouted the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.

Also, the Catalist-listed player noted JFE is not restricted from hiring local full-timers, part-timers and contract staff if they do not require the application or renewal of work passes.

Japan Foods furnished a statement to the SGX on Tuesday on JFE facing the suspension while MOM investigates.

And to deal with MOM’s restriction, JFE will work on “right-balancing” its workforce but the group’s existing operating outlets might not have to be shut temporarily.

Prominent brands under Japan Foods include Afuri, Ajisen Ramen and Fruit Paradise.

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The counter closed flat at S$0.415 on Friday.