A Singaporean couple’s wedding plans were thrown into chaos because of new rules about hiring foreign freelancers. The couple, Mr. Lin, 29, and his fiancée, had a two-day wedding planned for October 11 and 12, with everything from the venue to the photography already sorted out.
A Last-Minute Cancellation
Earlier this year, the couple had booked a photography and videography package for about S$2,000 and had already paid a S$300 deposit. But just under a month before their big day, the company told them their foreign photographer would no longer be available because of “tightened regulations.” The company couldn’t even find a replacement because they were short-staffed.
“We were completely stunned,” Mr. Lim said. They immediately started looking for a new photographer, searching online and on social media late into the night. They eventually found someone to take the job, but it came at a price—they had to pay double, spending over S$4,000. Mr. Lim said it was a financial stretch, but they were just lucky to find someone.
The whole issue started on September 11, when the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (VICPA) issued an advisory, reminding everyone that companies in Singapore cannot hire foreign freelancers for creative jobs.
The advisory also warned about the consequences for those who don’t follow the rules. Foreigners who work without a valid work pass could face fines of up to S$20,000, a jail sentence of up to two years, or both. The companies that hire them can also get into trouble.
Ms. Annabel Law, who runs a wedding photography company, said that some foreign photographers have been coming into Singapore on tourist visas to take jobs. “They work illegally and do not pay taxes, which is unacceptable,” she said.
Ms. Law also said that these foreign photographers often charge much less, sometimes just a few hundred dollars, which is unfair to local businesses that charge thousands for the same service. She believes the government’s action will “rectify the market” and make things fairer for the local photography industry.
Since the advisory came out, local companies have seen a big increase in people looking for photographers. Mr. Zhan Boyang, who runs Bridelope Productions, said his company got over 100 calls from worried couples. His schedule was almost full, so he could only take on a couple of new clients and had to refer the rest to other photographers he trusted.
Advice for Consumers
The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) is also reminding people to be careful when hiring freelancers from overseas. The president of CASE, Mr. Melvin Yong, said, “Consumers should be aware of the risks involved in hiring a freelancer based overseas, as such freelancers may not be permitted to work in Singapore.” He also advised people to make sure their contracts have clear rules about cancellations and refunds to protect themselves.
