Data on Foreign Hostesses on Work Passes and Social Visit Passes and Measures to Minimise Health Risks Posed by Nature of Their Interactions

Mr Don Wee asked the Minister for Manpower with regard to the COVID-19 cluster involving social hostesses (a) how many foreign hostesses are there currently; (b) how many are on work passes and how many are here on social visit passes; and (c) what measures are there to minimise the health risks posed by the nature of their interactions.

Dr Tan See Leng: There are less than 50 foreign dance/bar/lounge hostesses with valid work passes, all of which were approved before 2020. They are allowed to perform non-hostessing jobs after their employers were allowed to temporarily pivot to permissible business activities (including food & beverage operations) since October 2020.

Nightlife establishments also hire work pass holders in other occupations, such as operations executives and waitresses. Even before COVID-19, they were not allowed to work as hostesses. As for foreigners on social visit passes working as social hostesses, such persons are in breach of the Immigration Act.

Together with various Government agencies, the Singapore Police Force has been taking up enforcement action against errant outlets, including permanently revoking their licences. MOM does not inspect nightlife establishments on its own, as work pass violations there are usually part of a broader pattern of illegal activity that involves breach of other laws. If work pass holders are found to be engaging in unauthorised activities, they would be referred to MOM for enforcement actions under our work pass regulations. The Government will continue to review enforcement efforts to ensure safe management measures are strictly adhered to.