MANAGING THE INCREASE OF FOREIGN SPOUSES

MANAGING THE INCREASE OF FOREIGN SPOUSES

56.

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs given the rising number of low-income Singaporean men seeking brides in Asian countries and marrying them in Singapore, what measures are in place to ensure that these women (i) are not victims of abuse or trafficking; and (ii) will be granted a long-term social visit pass after marriage so that they are not forced to return to their home countries.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: There are laws in Singapore to protect women against abuse and criminal offences, including trafficking, prostitution and family violence. Foreign wives of Singaporean men receive equal protection under the law as Singaporean wives. Errant husbands who violate these laws will be firmly dealt with.

On spousal abuse, the Women's Charter offers protection against family violence. Abused wives, whether Singaporeans or foreigners, can apply to the Courts for a Personal Protection Order (PPO) to restrain their husbands from using violence against them, or to exclude their husbands from their residence. The Court can also require these husbands to attend counselling.

Moreover, Police will render assistance when it receives a report of suspected spousal violence. For example, Police will advise on available assistance, such as how to apply for a PPO and, if appropriate, refer the abused spouse to a crisis shelter or family service centre.

The Women's Charter and Penal Code have provisions against the prostitution and trafficking of women and girls. These provisions can be invoked against unscrupulous agencies which engage in the prostitution of foreign brides under the guise of matchmaking. In addition, the Penal Code also protects minors under 21 years old from being bought or sold for the purposes of prostitution.

Singapore has a very strict regime to combat the problem of Trafficking in Persons (TIP). Tough enforcement actions and security checks conducted at the various checkpoints deter and detect the movement of illegal immigrants in and out of Singapore. When suspected cases of trafficking are detected at the checkpoints, ICA refers them to the Police for further investigation.

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On the international front, Police leverages on intelligence sources and proactively engages foreign embassies and other organisations, such as INTERPOL and overseas law enforcement agencies, to develop mechanisms to prevent and identify potential victims of trafficking.

This multi-pronged approach safeguards foreign brides against abuse or criminal acts. Police has not received any reports from foreign brides alleged to be victims of trafficking.

As to what measures are in place to ensure that foreign brides of Singaporeans will be granted a long-term visit pass after marriage so that they are not forced to return to their home countries, our clearly-stated position is that when a Singaporean marries a foreigner, the foreign spouse is not entitled to or automatically granted a long-term pass, permanent residence or citizenship. The key consideration is whether the Singaporean can support his or her foreign spouse financially. Each application for long-term stay is carefully assessed and evaluated on its own merits. As I had earlier stated in this House in May, over the past five years, the success rate of foreign spouses applying for a long-term visit pass is a high 86%.

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