Philippine gov’t warns OFWs in Singapore against moonlighting

The Philippine government has issued an advisory to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and job seekers in Singapore to comply strictly with the country’s labor laws. In particular, the agency emphasised that ‘moonlighting’, which is accepting paid work outside of one’s primary employment, is illegal for foreign workers under Singaporean law.

Under Singapore’s Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), moonlighting can lead to fines of up to S$20,000 ($15,500), imprisonment of up to two years, revocation of work passes, and a permanent ban from employment in the country. 

“The Philippine Embassy reminds anew Filipinos working and living in Singapore, including Filipinos who intend to work in Singapore, that engaging with any remunerated work outside their primary employment is illegal and subject to penalties,” the Philippine Embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.

The embassy also reminded Filipino tourists, short-term visitors, and students pursuing their education in Singapore of employment restrictions in the country. Tourists, visitors, and exchange students are barred from doing paid work, although exceptions are made for individuals with special employment passes.

The warning followed a recent case where a Filipino worker was caught by authorities for moonlighting as a part-time cleaner for a Singaporean national over four years. The worker was ordered in August to pay a fine of S$13,000 ($10,074) for doing part-time work without a valid work pass, while the Singaporean was also fined S$7,000 (US$5,460).

Another Filipino was also sentenced on Monday to three weeks in jail for pretending to be a maid for her Singaporean boyfriend to obtain a work permit. 

According to embassy data, there are around 200,000 Filipinos working in Singapore. It is estimated that 60% work as professionals and skilled workers, while the remaining 40% are employed as household service workers.

The Singapore government also rolled out several changes to employment regulations for foreign workers in recent months. On Monday, the minimum salary requirements for obtaining an S-Pass foreign worker permit were increased by S$150 ($116). It also removed restrictions on how long foreigners can work in the country and raised the maximum employment age to 63 in July.