Which sectors are most affected by illegal employment of overstayers?

Question

Accepted Answer

Food Stalls and Construction Sectors Most Affected by Illegal Employment of Overstayers

The food stall and construction industries are among the sectors most affected by the illegal employment of individuals who have overstayed their visas in Singapore. This trend has led to a significant increase in arrests for harbouring and hiring immigration offenders, with authorities reporting a 31.6 per cent rise in such incidents in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Many of these offenders are found to be working with expired or cancelled work passes.
Significant Increase in Offender Arrests

Between January and September 2024, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) apprehended 166 individuals for harbouring immigration offenders and 138 for hiring them. This marks a considerable rise from the 231 arrests made for similar offences during the corresponding period in 2023. The ICA has highlighted that these overstayers often possess lapsed work or social visit passes, indicating a systemic issue within certain employment sectors.
High-Risk Sectors Identified

The primary sectors where these immigration offenders are employed include food stalls and construction sites. Additionally, some individuals are sheltered by relatives or acquaintances for financial gain, further complicating enforcement efforts. The authorities are concerned that such unchecked overstayers might engage in illicit activities to support themselves, including the sale of contraband cigarettes and vapes, or even sex work, posing potential security risks.
Enforcement and Legal Consequences

Singaporean law imposes severe penalties for harbouring or hiring immigration offenders, with potential jail sentences of up to two years, fines up to S$6,000, or both. Despite these deterrents, some employers and harbourers claim ignorance of how to verify the immigration status of foreigners. However, authorities maintain that ignorance is not an excuse, emphasizing the availability of channels for verification and the necessity for due diligence. For instance, a Chinese national overstaying since October 2023 received a six-week jail sentence and caning, while the person harbouring him was fined S$3,000.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Which sectors are most affected by illegal employment of overstayers?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends