Oral Answer by SMS Koh on work pass holders working outside of designated employer

NOTICE PAPER NO. 571 OF 2021 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 02 AUGUST 2021
QUESTION NO. 1454 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) how does the Ministry enforce the restrictions on work pass holders carrying on work outside of the designated employer; (b) over the last five years, what is the annual number of cases of work pass holders found to be working for more than one employer at the same time; and (c) what are the penalties for the employer and employee involved.

Answer

1. Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), work pass holders are only allowed to work for the official employer specified in their work pass card. It is an offence for the work pass holder to perform work for any other person or business entity.

2. MOM receives complaints, tip-offs, and referrals from members of public as well as other public agencies on possible illegal employment of work pass holders. Based on the information received, MOM will conduct inspections and look into each allegation. At the same time, MOM also carries out proactive inspections based on our own analysis and triggers to detect possible illegal employment of work pass holders.

3. Between 2016 and 2020, MOM issued at least a warning to an average of 160 work pass holders each year who were found to have engaged in illegal employment. All of them were debarred from working in Singapore.

4. MOM takes a serious view of illegal employment. Work pass holders found to be engaged in illegal employment will face a fine of up to $20,000 or imprisonment of up to 2 years, or both. MOM will also debar them from working in Singapore. Likewise, employers who employ any foreigners without a valid work pass will face a fine of up to $30,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both. Their work pass privileges will also be suspended.