The Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme has been around for the last 17 years, but recent enforcement operations have uncovered widespread abuse by syndicates.

Here is a timeline on what to know about it and

how it has been misused:

2008: The scheme was introduced to allow licensed public entertainment outlets such as bars, hotels and nightclubs to hire foreign performing artistes of any nationality on a short-term basis of up to six months.

Issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the permit was non-renewable and was one of two passes rolled out to replace the former Professional Visit Pass issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority to foreigners working in Singapore on short-term assignments.

The other pass is the Miscellaneous Work Pass, for eligible foreigners on short-term work assignments, such as speakers at a seminar, religious workers or journalists.

March 2023: In response to a parliamentary question from then-MP Louis Ng, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said in a written answer that MOM has put in place education and enforcement measures to safeguard the employment standards of all work permit holders, including performing artistes on work permits.

Mr Ng also asked if MOM will consider requiring a holder of work permit for performing artiste to attend a settling-in programme, similar to those currently conducted for migrant domestic workers and work permit holders from certain sectors.