Written Answer by Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng to PQ on foreign students caught working illegally in 2022
NOTICE PAPER NO. 1786 OF 2023 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 8 MARCH 2023
QUESTION NO. 4322 FOR ORAL ANSWER
MP: Mr Mark Chay:
To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) whether an update can be provided on the number of foreign students caught working illegally in 2022; and (b) what actions have been taken against the companies that hired these foreign students who worked illegally.
Answer
1. Foreign students issued with a Student’s Pass should be here to study. Student’s Pass Holders who wish to work must have a valid work pass other than if they study in a specific recognised educational institution, where they can then work up to 16 hours a week, or if they work under an industrial attachment that is part of the course.
2. In 2022, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) took enforcement action against 38 Student’s Pass Holders for working illegally. All of these Student’s Pass Holders were warned for committing an offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. Their student Passes were cancelled by ICA and, they were barred from working in Singapore.