Filipinos in Singapore warned against moonlighting
MANILA – Government officials have reminded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including other Filipinos planning to work in Singapore, to strictly follow its labor laws.
In an advisory issued Tuesday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Singapore on Wednesday, said taking on any paid work outside one’s primary employment —commonly known as “moonlighting”— is a punishable offense under Singaporean law.
“Moonlighting in Singapore is an offense. Foreign workers can be fined up to SGD20,000 and/or serve imprisonment of up to two (2) years. Foreign workers also risk the revocation of their passes and being barred from working in Singapore if found working illegally,” the advisory said.
The reminder came after a Singapore court ordered a 53-year-old Filipina household worker to pay SGD13,000 (around PHP579,000) for moonlighting as a part-time cleaner on her rest days.
She had been working in Singapore since 1994 and was found to have taken on part-time cleaning jobs between 2018 and 2024, breaching the conditions of her work pass, which only allows her to work for her official employer.
Her employer, who hired her for the side jobs, was also fined SGD7,000.
Meanwhile, the Philippine embassy also reminded Filipino tourists and other short-term visitors from engaging in any remunerated work, unless their work-related activity is eligible for a work pass exemption.
Foreign students holding a Student Pass may work if they meet specific requirements, such as enrolment in any of the approved learning institutions.
However, foreign exchange students doing study modules in Singapore are prohibited from being gainfully employed.
Foreign students or trainees under a training attachment program must hold a Training Work Permit, a Training Employment Pass, or be in the Work Holiday Programme.
The embassy said it is an offense for a foreign student under this category to work in Singapore without a valid work pass. (PNA)
Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1257882
