Written Answer to PQ on Foreigners working illegally as food delivery riders in Singapore without valid work passes

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2341 OF 2023 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 7 NOV 2023
QUESTION NO. 5135 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Yip Hon Weng

To ask the Minister for Manpower in view of the recent case of foreigners working illegally as food delivery riders in Singapore without valid work passes (a) whether there are routine checks conducted to identify such foreigners, especially those using foreign-registered vehicles; (b) what penalties apply to platforms that engage such foreigners; (c) whether there are plans for stricter penalties on account holders who abet such offences; and (d) to date, how many cases of illegal food delivery by foreigners have been apprehended.

Answer:

1. The nature of food delivery work is decentralised and mobile. Hence, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) relies mainly on complaints to detect possible instances of foreigners working illegally as food delivery riders, in order to carry out enforcement actions.

2. From 2018 till 18 October 2023, MOM received a total of 163 complaints on suspected illegal foreign delivery riders. Our investigations established that the majority of these complaints were unsubstantiated as the foreigners were either legitimate work pass holders employed by the food and beverage establishments as in-house deliverymen, or there was insufficient information or evidence to warrant further action. Enforcement actions were eventually taken against 10 foreigners.

3. Platform companies or any party found to have abetted the illegal employment are liable to the same penalties as the foreigners who worked illegally as food delivery riders in Singapore without valid work passes, which is a fine not exceeding $20,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. This is already one of the higher penalties under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.