Debated in Parliament on 4 Sep 2019.
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.
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.
. Anyone with information on such illegal workers should report this to MOM.
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?
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.
Perhaps the Minister of State can take this opportunity to advertise the telephone number to call.
I think the Member can come to our website to find the number to call.
PAPERCUTS