SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) revealed on Wednesday (Oct 11) that it has taken decisive action against foreigners working as illegal food delivery riders and locals who abetted them for violating the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).
The three foreigners who were working as food delivery riders without valid work passes are now facing permanent bans from working in Singapore. Among them, 36-year-old Ng Teik Chuan stands out, having processed more than 1,300 orders between May 2022 and March 2023, earning approximately S$17,000. As a result, Ng has been slapped with a S$10,000 fine, more than the other two have to pay.
Amanullah, 37, opted for a more clandestine approach, using the FoodPanda account of his 47-year-old Singaporean friend to deliver food. During his four days of activity in March 2023, he managed to amass around S$540. Both Amanullah and his friend were fined S$3,800 for their involvement.
The third defendant, 28-year-old Chaw Soon Yaw, operated in a similar manner, using his brother’s Deliveroo account to make more than S$2,000. His brother, a Singapore permanent resident (PR), cooperated in this endeavour despite being aware that it was illegal for Chaw Soon Yaw to work without a valid work pass. Consequently, both Chaw and his brother were fined S$5,000 each.
MOM, in a statement, emphasised the seriousness of these convictions and highlighted the implications of illegal employment under the EFMA. Foreigners who work without valid work passes may face fines of up to S$20,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, and will be permanently banned from working in Singapore after conviction.
Moreover, local delivery platform workers who permit foreigners to use their accounts for illegal employment could face similar penalties. MOM urged the public to report any suspicious employment activities, such as companies employing foreigners without valid work passes, and assured that all information reported will be kept strictly confidential.