The Philippine Embassy in Singapore advised visiting Filipino nationals on Wednesday to stop engaging in freelance work using Training Employment Permits (TEPs) as these do not give them the legal right to accept payments for any services rendered during the course of their stay in the city state.
In a recent statement, the embassy explained that TEPs “are not considered work permits and are meant only for short-term executive training.”
“Companies in Singapore who engage and promote the services of foreign freelancers, may face penalties,” it added.
The embassy emphasized that foreign nationals with tourist or student visas are not allowed to engage in paid work.
Recently, the Embassy also cautioned Filipinos employed in Singapore against taking second jobs, as these too are regulated there.
In a joint statement, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (VICPA), reminded companies against illegally hiring foreign freelancers to provide creative services to clients under existing Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) provisions.
This includes photography, videography, and make-up services for weddings in Singapore, among others.
“All foreign workers in Singapore are reminded to abide by the provisions of their employment passes. Engaging with another work or paid activity, including providing professional services outside of the regular hours of the employment contract, including on non-working days, may be classified as ‘moonlighting’,” the statement read.
Under Singaporean law, foreign nationals working illegally without a valid visa can face fines of up to SGD 20,000 and/or imprisonment for up to two years.
They may also be banned from entering or working in Singapore.
