17 individuals arrested for employment-related offences in enforcement operations targeting shell public entertainment outlets
On 2 September 2025, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) conducted enforcement operations at multiple locations, leading to the arrest of 17 individuals for suspected involvement in illegal employment and making false declarations in work pass applications.
2 Among those arrested were five male Singaporeans (aged between 31 and 37), who are current or former sole proprietors of seven public entertainment outlets, and a 34-year-old female Singaporean, who was the Key Appointment Holder of an employment agency in Singapore. These individuals are suspected to be part of a syndicate that had allegedly hired foreign performing artistes for non-operational public entertainment outlets. These foreigners were suspected to have been subsequently released to work as freelance hostesses in other public entertainment outlets. The remaining 11 arrested individuals were female work permit holders. They were arrested for their alleged involvement in making false declarations of employment in work pass applications . Their work permits have been revoked.
3 The Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme is intended for the employment of foreign performing artistes to work only in eligible public entertainment outlets for up to 6 months. To ensure compliance with the scheme’s requirements, MOM conducts regular checks on Work Permit (Performing Artiste) holders. A similar enforcement operation in September 2024 targeting shell public entertainment outlets resulted in the arrest of 32 individuals. MOM is reviewing the scheme, in view of the abuses by non-operating public entertainment outlets.
4 Investigations against all parties are ongoing. In addition to the 11 female work permit holders who were arrested, MOM has revoked the work passes of another 42 foreigners who were employed by the seven shell public entertainment outlets under investigations. The employment agency’s licence has also been suspended pending investigations.
Penalties for Employment Offences
5 Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 (EFMA), all employers and work pass applicants must make accurate and truthful declarations to the Controller of Work Passes. Employers can only hire foreign employees with valid work passes.
6 Individuals convicted of making false declarations in work pass applications are liable to a fine not exceeding $20,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both. Errant employers may have their work pass privileges suspended, and the work pass applicant may be barred from working in Singapore.
7 Foreigners who are self-employed without a valid work pass may be liable to a fine not exceeding $20,000, or to imprisonment for up to two years, or to both. Upon conviction, they will be barred from working in Singapore.
8 Members of the public who are aware of suspicious employment activities, or who know of persons or employers who may have contravened the EFMA or Employment Agencies Act (EAA), should report the matter to MOM via MOM’s eService “Report an infringement”. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.