SG companies barred from engaging foreign freelancers for creative services

Singapore companies are not allowed to engage foreign freelancers to provide creative services such as photography, videography and make-up for weddings and events, according to a new advisory issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

In a joint statement with the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (VICPA), MOM said it had received reports of companies hiring foreigners on tourist or student visas to carry out such work. It reminded businesses that foreigners without a valid work pass are not permitted to work in Singapore, and companies are not allowed to promote or engage them.

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), foreigners working without a valid work pass may be fined up to S$20,000, jailed for up to two years, or both. Companies that engage or abet them face the same penalties. Offenders may also be barred from entering or working in Singapore in the future.

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MOM stressed that checks would continue to be conducted on foreigners working without valid passes and urged industry stakeholders to report such infringements through its online “Report an infringement” eService.

At the same time, VICPA, an affiliate of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), encouraged companies to turn to local freelance creative professionals to support their production and event needs. The association said this would help build the professionalism of Singapore’s creative sector while ensuring fair hiring practices that align with the law.

Companies can access the NTUC Freelancer Directory, which features photographers, videographers and other creative professionals who adhere to the professional code of ethics and the Tripartite Standard on contracting with self-employed persons.

"VICPA is working closely with the Singapore Ministry of Manpower to tackle a pressing issue in our industry, the illegal hiring of foreign freelancers for creative services in Singapore. These practices breach the EFMA act and threaten the livelihoods of our local freelance creative professionals," said MOM in a statement on Facebook. 

"This joint advisory was issued in response to feedback from our freelance creative community. We hear you, and we’re taking action to protect your work, your rights, and your future," it added. 

According to The Straits Times, VICPA's executive secretary Jagathishwaran Rajo said that local professionals have increasingly shared their challenges posed by foreign freelancers. This includes concerns over unfair price competition as foreign freelancers often charge significantly lower rates. 

This issue has proliferated in recent years due to social media platforms allowing foreign freelancers to advertise their services to clients in Singapore, added Rajo, noting that these cases are not limited to just weddings. 

He stated that the VICPA's objective is not to stifle competition, but to uphold fair and level playing field where Singapore' creative talent is respected, valued and supported. 

In 2024, Boston Consulting Group, The Network of which Jobstreet by SEEK is part of, found that talent in marketing and media (77%) from neighbouring countries are the most willing to move to Singapore for job opportunities. This is closely followed by those in digitalisation, data science and AI roles (76%).

In its study, the group found that inbound talent mostly hailed from Malaysia (30%), Thailand (22%), Indonesia (19%) and the Philippines (14%). 

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