Singapore bars firms from hiring freelancers for creative services

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Visual, Audio, and Creative Content Professionals Association (Vicpa) issued a joint advisory on September 11 prohibiting companies in the photography, videography, and makeup sectors from hiring foreign freelancers to provide services locally.

“Foreigners on tourist or student visas are not allowed to perform such work in Singapore, and companies cannot engage them to provide services to clients, nor promote their services,” the advisory said. Businesses are also barred from engaging these visa holders for client services or to promote their offerings. 

The move follows information received by the MOM of companies enlisting foreign freelancers for creative services for weddings and other events in Singapore. Such work arrangements are considered illegal under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).

Under the law, foreigners caught working without a valid work pass face fines of up to 20,000 Singapore dollars ($15,500), up to two years in jail, or both. They may also be permanently barred from entering and working in Singapore. Companies that also engage such foreigners for work may also face equivalent penalties.

Jagathishwaran Rajo, Vicpa’s executive secretary, said the association has received a growing number of complaints from local professionals about foreign freelancers working in Singapore without proper permits. These freelancers, he explained, cause ‘unfair price competition’ by charging significantly lower rates than their local counterparts.

He added that the issue has proliferated in recent years due to foreign freelancers using social media to advertise to clients in the country.

“We note that such cases are not limited to weddings alone but also extend to other sectors requiring creative services, including photography, videography, makeup, and related freelance work,” Jagathishwaran said.

Vicpa said it is currently monitoring social media platforms for violators and urged companies to follow ethical hiring practices.

“Our objective is not to stifle competition, but to uphold a fair and level playing field where Singapore’s creative talent is respected, valued and supported,” Jagathishwaran said.

An affiliate of Singapore’s National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), Vicpa was established in 2021 to represent freelance and self-employed workers in the creative content industry.