Nine illegal workers from Indonesia were arrested after a raid at the Geylang Serai Bazaar on Thursday in Singapore. The raid was a joint enforcement operation among the National Environment Agency, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Singapore Police Force.
This latest arrest comes about a week after 22 unlicensed food handlers were nabbed in another raid at the same place. Reports said the nine workers were handling food at the stalls in Geylang.
MOM said in a media statement that a total of 257 illegal workers were arrested through 76 enforcement operations at bazaars islandwide in the last two years. It added that the ministry took enforcement action against 30 stall holders for illegal employment offences in the same period.
"MOM works with other agencies during major festivals to educate and remind the bazaar operators and stall owners to comply with the regulatory requirements of various agencies," the ministry said in the statement.
According to Singapore law, foreigners if caught without valid work passes might face a fine of up to S$20,000 and up to two years of jail. In addition to that, they could also be barred from entering and working in the country.
The employers, who illegally employ foreigners, could also face a fine of up to S$30,000 and a jail term of up to one year. They may also be barred from hiring foreign workers.
