The Singapore Police Force said in a news release that two public entertainment outlets had allegedly provided hostessing services within their premises.
31 people were arrested, including 29 women for allegedly providing hostessing services and working without a valid work permit.
Singapore Police Force’s statement
The Police conducted an enforcement operation against public entertainment outlets located along Middle Road on 3 September 2022.
During the joint operation by the Central Police Division and the Criminal Investigation Department, a total of 31 persons were arrested. 29 women, aged between 20 and 33, were allegedly found to be providing hostessing services, and were arrested for working without a valid work permit under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990. Two men, aged 31 and 35, were arrested for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990.
The two outlets, which allegedly provided hostessing services within their premises, were found to have contravened the Public Entertainment Act 1958.
Under the Public Entertainment Act 1958, any person who provides or assists in providing any public entertainment in contravention of this act carries a fine not exceeding $10,000. Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990, the offence of employing a foreign employee without a valid work pass carries a fine of not less than $5,000, and not more than $30,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. Under the same Act, the offence of being in employment without a valid work pass carries a jail term of up to two years, a fine of up to $20,000, or both.
The Police will continue to carry out regular enforcement checks on public entertainment and nightlife establishments to suppress illicit activities. The Police will continue to take tough enforcement action against criminal activities and those found engaging in such activities will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
06 September 2022 @ 4:45 PM