MoM nabs 58 for suspected employment offences

Foreign performing artists did not possess valid work permits, whilst Singapore-residents violated other offences.

Fifty-eight individuals were arrested by Ministry of Manpower (MoM) officers and Singapore police at two public entertainment outlets for their alleged violation of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 (EFMA).

Of these, 32 were foreigners hired as performing artists under the Performing Artiste scheme, but found to have worked without valid work passes at the entertainment outlets, the MoM said.  

Another 22 foreigners and four Singapore Permanent Residents were arrested for other employment-related offences, it added.

Two more individuals were caught for possession of electronic vapes and six of these were seized.

MoM and the Singapore Police Force conducted the arrest with the Health Sciences Authority.

Investigations against all parties are ongoing.

The Performing Artiste scheme requires foreign performing artists to work only in eligible public entertainment outlets for up to six months. 

Under EFMA, employers are prohibited from employing a foreign employee unless the foreign employee has a valid work pass. Individuals convicted of employing a foreigner illegally are liable to a fine between $5,000 and $30,000, or imprisonment for up to one year, or both.

MoM is monitoring the hiring of foreign performing artists through regular compliance and enforcement checks.