Number of foreigners caught working illegally in Singapore going down: MOM
Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say says that between 2014 and August 2016, around 3,000 foreigners were found to be working illegally in Singapore. They are mostly from China, Bangladesh and India.
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Crowds of people along Orchard Road. (Photo: TODAY)
10 Oct 2016 11:22PM
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SINGAPORE: There has been a steady decline in the number of foreigners found to be working illegally in the Republic, from around 1,300 in 2014 to 550 in the first eight months of this year, said Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say on Monday (Oct 10).
In a written response to a parliamentary question, Mr Lim said that between 2014 and August 2016, around 3,000 foreigners were found to be working illegally. He added that they are mostly from China, Bangladesh and India.
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The illegal workers were found working mainly in the construction, food and beverage and other services sectors, in occupations such as construction workers, cleaners and stall assistants.
Mr Lim also elaborated on the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) multi-pronged strategy to reduce such illegal employment.
Firstly, MOM educates work pass holders and employers on their employment responsibilities, as well as the consequences of not complying with the country’s laws. These messages are reinforced in MOM’s advisory letter to employers, guidebooks, newsletters, and roadshows for foreign workers, including at their dormitories and in their native languages, said Mr Lim.
Secondly, MOM takes a risk-based approach and conducts pro-active inspections on businesses suspected of hiring foreigners illegally. It also responds to tip-offs from members of the public. Foreigners found working illegally will be barred from future employment in Singapore.
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Thirdly, to deter the demand for illegal workers, the penalty for illegal employment was enhanced in 2012. Mr Lim noted that employers who hire illegal workers face a minimum fine of S$5,000 per charge for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders face a minimum fine of S$10,000 per charge and a minimum imprisonment term of one month.
“Our strategy of conducting inspections, imposing penalties and outreach has worked well,” he said.
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Read more at
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/si ... ng-7742772