SINGAPORE \u2013 An average of 420 employers were hauled up each year from 2021 to 2024 for hiring foreign workers without valid work passes in Singapore.<\/p>\n
About 200 of them were prosecuted or fined annually, while the rest – mainly cases involving first-time offenders or illegal employment over a short period – were given a warning, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Oct 13 in response to queries. <\/p>\n
A MOM spokesman said: \u201cIn general, foreigners must possess valid work passes to work in Singapore. <\/p>\n
\u201cBusinesses and individuals engaging foreigners to work in Singapore must ensure that they hold valid passes before starting work in the specified job. This is not a new requirement.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that MOM also takes into account a host of factors in deciding the penalty, including the duration of the offence and how many illegal workers were involved.<\/p>\n
On Sept 11, MOM – in a joint statement with the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (Singapore) – said foreigners on tourist or student visas are not allowed to provide creative services in Singapore.<\/p>\n
It added that it follows up on complaints and carries out checks through data analytics to detect and take enforcement action against employers who flout work visa rules.<\/p>\n
Foreigners found working in Singapore without valid work passes can be fined an amount not more than $20,000, face up to two years\u2019 jail, or both.<\/p>\n
They can also be barred from entering and working in Singapore.<\/p>\n
Employers, too, can face a fine of up to $30,000 or a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. This applies to both individuals and companies.<\/p>\n
Some activities are eligible for a work pass exemption, MOM added. According to its website, this includes journalism work, junket activities, and location film.<\/p>\n
Those intending to work in an exempted activity must inform MOM after entering the country and before starting the activity, and are allowed to perform said activity up to a total of 90 days in a calendar year.<\/p>\n
\u201cMOM takes multiple factors into consideration when assessing which business activities are eligible for work pass exemption, such as whether the activity is sporadic and short-term in nature and whether it impacts local employment opportunities,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n
More information on eligible activities for a work pass exemption is available at <\/p>\n www.mom.gov.sg\/passes-and-permits\/work-pass-exempt-activities\/eligible-activities<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n