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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will stop accepting new applications to hire foreign workers under the Performing Artiste Work Permit scheme from Jun 1, 2026, following widespread abuse by syndicates.<\/span><\/p>\n Recent enforcement operations conducted by MOM and the police had uncovered\u202fsyndicates of non-operating public entertainment outlets hiring foreign performing artistes under the scheme.\u00a0<\/p>\n These foreigners were subsequently\u202freleased to work\u202fat\u202fother public entertainment outlets and locations.\u00a0<\/p>\n “In view of the\u202fwidespread\u202fabuse of the scheme, MOM, in consultation with\u202frelevant agencies,\u202fhas\u202fassessed\u202fthat\u202fthe scheme is no longer serving its original purpose.”<\/span><\/p>\n “MOM will\u202fthus\u202fcease\u202fthe scheme,” the ministry said in a press release on Monday (Dec 1).\u00a0<\/p>\n Public entertainment outlets may\u202fretain their\u202fexisting\u202fforeign performing artistes under the scheme until their passes expire or are cancelled, it said.<\/span><\/p>\n Introduced in 2008, the scheme was meant to allow licensed public entertainment outlets such as bars,\u202fhotels\u202fand nightclubs\u202fto hire foreign performing artistes of any nationality\u202fon a short-term basis\u202fof up to six months.<\/span><\/p>\n MOM had said it was closely monitoring the hiring of such artistes through regular compliance and enforcement checks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n