Recruitment of Tourists as Volunteers to Care for Dogs by Pet Boarding Services

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Manpower in view of recent reports where tourists have been recruited by pet boarding services as volunteers to care for dogs in exchange for accommodation, meals and other benefits (a) how many of such cases have been reported to the Ministry in the past one year; and (b) whether actions have been taken against the tourists and the companies which recruited these tourists.

It is illegal for tourists to work in Singapore without a valid work pass. This is regardless of whether they receive remuneration in cash or in kind. The Ministry has found only one case where a company paid tourists in kind to work. The investigation is currently on-going.

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, foreigners found working illegally can be fined a maximum of $20,000, or subjected to imprisonment of up to two years, or both. For hiring foreigners without a valid work pass, employers can be fined a maximum of $30,000, or subjected to imprisonment of up to one year, or both.