Percentage of Foreigners Working in Online Food Delivery Industry
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the presence of foreigners in the online food delivery industry and Er Dr Lee Bee Wah's request to restrict these jobs to Singaporeans. Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad clarified that it is illegal for foreigners to work as self-employed delivery riders and outlined penalties of up to $20,000 in fines or two years' imprisonment. He highlighted that Singaporeans abetting such acts by lending their delivery accounts face the same legal consequences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad noted that enforcement actions are ongoing and urged the public to report any suspected illegal riders through the Ministry of Manpower’s website. He affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to taking action against illegal workers to ensure that these delivery jobs are protected for the local workforce.
Transcript
2 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the current percentage of workers in the online food delivery industry who are foreigners; (b) how do the foreigners qualify to work in this industry; and (c) whether the Ministry will take steps to ensure that these jobs in the delivery services are restricted to only Singaporeans.
The Minister of State for Manpower (Mr Zaqy Mohamad) (for the Minister for Manpower): Deputy Speaker, it is illegal for foreigners to work as self-employed delivery riders for food delivery applications such as Deliveroo, Food Panda and Grab Food.
MOM has taken action against social visit pass holders working illegally as self-employed food delivery riders. Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, they can be fined a maximum of $20,000, or subjected to imprisonment of up to two years, or both. Anyone with information on such illegal workers should report this to MOM.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon): I would like to ask the Minister of State, during the last three years, how many get caught? The second question is, my residents told me that quite often, they see persons on Malaysia-registered motorcycles delivering food. So, it looks like we need to step up enforcement. Because they are competing with our Singaporeans who are earning pocket money and those are our jobs. We do not need them to come here to moonlight or do things that are illegal. So, I would like to know how many have been caught and if residents see them delivering food, what can the public do? How can they report? And what actions will the Ministry take?
Mr Zaqy Mohamad: Sir, I thank the Member for her questions. In April this year, we caught two Malaysians who were working for the food delivery business. Both are being investigated, not prosecuted yet. So, I cannot give too much details of the cases. At the same time, regarding the Member's concerns, we need more people to report. If her residents come to know of such cases, please ask them to report to MOM. We will take action.
As I mentioned earlier, those who are caught under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act will face a $20,000 fine, or an imprisonment of two years. If the person is also abetting – as a Singaporean, allowing them to use your accounts – you can also be prosecuted and be fined a maximum of $20,000 as well as be subject to imprisonment of up to two years or both. Both offences carry the same terms.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: Perhaps the Minister of State can take this opportunity to advertise the telephone number to call.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad: I think the Member can come to our website to find the number to call.