Singapore has been shaken by the tragic death of Jane Lee, a mother of two and owner of Sumo Salad in Holland Village. Just one day before she passed away, Jane posted two emotional messages on Facebook exposing what she believed to be a fraudulent workplace injury scam involving a foreign worker.
According to Jane, Ms. Sran Kiranjeet Kaur, an employee from India, allegedly faked a fall on an escalator just two days before her contract ended. Jane suspected it was part of a premeditated scheme to file a false injury claim under the Work Injury Compensation Act. She believed the worker's husband, Mamu, and a possible legal firm were also involved.
Jane claimed she had video evidence showing the worker moving normally but suddenly exaggerating her injuries in front of doctors. She expressed that her business, EatGreen Pte Ltd, was specifically targeted because of a gap in insurance coverage, and warned that other small businesses could fall victim too.
In her second post, Jane tagged the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Singapore Police Force, urging them to investigate. She also wrote heartfelt messages to her long-serving staff, transferring money to several of them, and expressing gratitude for their loyalty.
On July 21, MOM confirmed that Jane had been in contact with them before her death, and investigations into the worker's claim are ongoing. The employee is covered under the WICA framework, but MOM has made it clear: anyone found abusing the system will be held accountable.
By July 24, Minister of State Dinesh Vasu Dash acknowledged the case publicly, stating that police investigations are ongoing and action will be taken if there’s clear misconduct.
Jane’s posts have triggered widespread public sympathy, not just for her family, but for the broader challenges faced by small business owners. Many SMEs operate without full legal or insurance support, making them vulnerable to such alleged scams. The emotional toll, coupled with financial uncertainty, can be crushing.
This tragic incident raises a critical question: how can small business owners be better protected? Jane’s story reveals a flaw in the system where foreign individuals may exploit compensation frameworks, and SMEs are left to defend themselves alone.
Her passing is a painful reminder of the immense mental stress business owners face. If fraud was indeed committed, swift action must follow not just for justice, but to prevent this from happening again.
Jane Lee wasn’t just a boss. She was a mother, a friend, and a fighter. And in her final act, she chose to speak out not for herself, but for others like her.
Comments
Post a Comment