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SINGAPORE – The authorities will be scrapping the Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme after more than 17 years due to widespread abuse.<\/p>\n
The scheme, which allows licensed public entertainment outlets such as bars,\u202fhotels\u202fand nightclubs\u202fto hire foreign performing artistes on a short-term basis\u202fof up to six months, was introduced in 2008.<\/p>\n
But recent enforcement operations by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and police uncovered syndicates abusing it, with these \u201cartistes\u201d found working at other public entertainment outlets as \u201cfreelance hostesses\u201d.<\/p>\n
On Dec 1, MOM announced that the scheme will cease from June 1, 2026.<\/p>\n
It will stop accepting applications after that, but public entertainment outlets may\u202fretain their\u202fexisting\u202fforeign performing artistes until their passes expire or are cancelled.<\/p>\n
MOM said syndicates were using shell public entertainment outlets that were not operational to hire foreign performing artistes under the scheme.<\/p>\n
The ministry said: \u201cIn view of the\u202fwidespread\u202fabuse of the scheme, MOM, in consultation with\u202frelevant agencies,\u202fhas\u202fassessed\u202fthat\u202f(it) is no longer serving its original purpose.\u202fMOM will\u202fthus\u202fcease\u202fthe scheme.\u201d<\/p>\n
It added that it had consulted the Singapore Nightlife Business Association (SNBA) to provide sufficient lead time for public entertainment outlets that currently hire foreign performing artistes under the scheme to make alternative arrangements.<\/p>\n
Businesses can engage entertainment services from service providers instead of hiring performers directly.<\/p>\n
Alternatively, they can continue to hire eligible foreign performing artistes on a regular work pass, said MOM.<\/p>\n
Foreigners can also be engaged by businesses for short-term performances under the\u00a0Work Pass Exempt framework.<\/p>\n
But this applies only\u00a0to\u202fevents supported by\u202fthe Government or any statutory\u202fboard, or\u202fheld at a public performance venue, except for bars, discotheques, lounges, nightclubs, pubs, hotels, private clubs or restaurant venues with a Category 1 Public Entertainment Licence.<\/p>\n
The authorities have been hinting at the changes since September.<\/p>\n