Checks on Foreigners Working Illegally as Food Delivery Riders
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns inquiries by Mr Yip Hon Weng regarding enforcement measures, statistics, and penalties for foreigners working illegally as food delivery riders and parties abetting such offences. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng stated that the Ministry of Manpower relies mainly on complaints for detection due to the mobile and decentralised nature of the work. From 2018 to October 2023, 163 complaints were received with enforcement actions taken against 10 foreigners, as many cases involved legitimate in-house deliverymen. Platform companies or individuals found abetting illegal employment face the same penalties as the illegal workers under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. These penalties include a maximum fine of $20,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
Transcript
32 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked 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.
Dr Tan See Leng: 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.
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.
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.