47 Persons Investigated for Employment-Related Offences in MOM’s F&B Enforcement Operations

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) conducted enforcement operations at Clarke Quay and Little India from 12 to 19 July 2023. A total of 35 food and beverage (F&B) establishments were inspected, of which 20 were found to have infringed the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).

2            47 persons were found to be potentially involved in illegal employment and illegal deployment offences across the establishments inspected. Most of the individuals investigated were illegally working as cooks, kitchen assistants or wait staff. Investigations are ongoing.

Contraventions of the EFMA

3           Under the EFMA, employers can only hire foreign employees with valid work passes. It is also an offence to illegally deploy workers to work for any other persons or businesses, other than the official employer.

4            Commenting on the inspections, Ms Shireen Banu, Director of Inspection at MOM’s Foreign Manpower Management Division, said: “MOM regularly inspects companies, such as those in the F&B sector, for compliance with our employment regulations. This ensures that companies abide by fair and responsible employment practices, and employees are protected under our laws. Offenders will face penalties.”

Penalties for Illegal Employment and Deployment

5          Employers who hire foreign employees without valid work passes can be fined between $5,000 and $30,000, or jailed for up to 12 months, or both, per charge. They will also be barred from employing foreigners.

6        Foreigners who undertake employment without a valid work pass may be liable to a fine of up to $20,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Upon conviction, they will be permanently barred from working in Singapore.

7        Members of  public who are aware of suspicious employment activities, such as companies employing foreigners without valid work passes or know of persons who contravene the EFMA, should report the matter to MOM at 6438 5122 or mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg. All information that is shared will be kept strictly confidential.