Written Answer by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Manpower to Parliamentary Question on recruitment of tourists as volunteers to care for dogs by pet boarding services

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1716 OF 2019 FOR THE SITTING ON 8 JULY 2019 
QUESTION NO. 1293 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye

To ask the Minister for Manpower in view of recent reports where tourists have been recruited by pet boarding services as volunteers to care for dogs in exchange for accommodation, meals and other benefits (a) how many of such cases have been reported to the Ministry in the past one year; (b) whether actions have been taken against the tourists and the companies which recruited these tourists.

Answer 

1. It is illegal for tourists to work in Singapore without a valid work pass. This is regardless of whether they receive remuneration in cash or in kind. The Ministry has found only one case where a company paid tourists in kind to work. The investigation is currently on-going. 

2. Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, foreigners found working illegally can be fined a maximum of $20,000, or subjected to imprisonment of up to 2 years, or both. For hiring foreigners without a valid work pass, employers can be fined a maximum of $30,000, or subjected to imprisonment of up to 1 year, or both.