The Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) regulates the employment of foreign employees and protects their wellbeing.
Key facts[]
The EFMA prescribes the responsibilities and obligations for employing foreign employees in Singapore.
It covers regulations and enforcement for:
- Work passes
- Offences
The EFMA covers any person issued a work pass by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Work passes include the Employment Pass, S Pass and Work Permits.
The EFMA outlines responsibilities relating to work passes, including applications, cancellations, medical insurance, levy, cancellation and repatriation.
Foreign employees who are covered by the Employment Act are entitled to:
- Salary
- Hours of work, overtime and rest days
- Public holidays
- Annual leave
- Sick leave
Employers are encouraged to have a written employment contract with their foreign employees that covers these areas.
Note: For foreign domestic workers (FDW), their wellbeing and entitlements are provided for under the EFMA. FDWs are not covered by the Employment Act.
Reporting of possible infringements[]
If individuals want to report a possible work pass infringement, they can call the MOM's hotlines or submit their feedback online.
Offences and penalties[]
Employing a foreign employee without a valid work pass[]
Penalty: A fine between $5,000 and $30,000, or imprisonment for up to 1 year, or both. For subsequent convictions, offenders face a mandatory imprisonment and a fine between $10,000 and $30,000.
Contravening any condition of a work pass[]
Penalty: A fine up to $10,000, or imprisonment for up to 1 year, or both.
Making a false statement or providing false information in any application or renewal of a work pass[]
Penalty: A fine up to $20,000, or imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both.
Receiving money in connection with an employment of a foreign employee[]
Penalty: A fine up to $30,000, or imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both.
Obtaining a work pass for a foreign employee for a business that does not exist, or is not in operation or does not require the employment of the foreign employee[]
Penalty: An imprisonment term of 6 months and to a fine not exceeding $6,000. Offenders may also receive caning.
Relevant legislation[]
For the full legislation, see the following:
- Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap 91A)
- Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations - Conditions of Work Pass
Amendments[]
The EFMA was last amended in 2012. For a summary of the amendments, see the following:
- Executive Summary of Amendments to the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act
- Quick Info-guide on the Amendments to the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act