[UPDATED on Mar. 16 at 4:29pm: This article has been updated to reflect a statement from foodpanda.] 

Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg

It is illegal for foreigners without a valid work pass to moonlight or work as riders for food delivery applications such as Deliveroo, foodpanda and GrabFood, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a statement on Mar. 14.

The statement was in response to a recent incident that was caught on video in Orchard Road.

In a video posted to the SG Road Vigilante - SGRV Facebook group, a man was seen confronting a food delivery rider in Orchard.

The man off-camera accused the man in blue of not being a Singaporean or Singapore permanent resident, but yet was working as a food delivery rider.

The MOM spokesperson said the authorities are investigating the matter.

MOM is also looking into whether delivery workers have allowed their accounts with delivery services companies to be used by unauthorised parties.

Those who are found to have done so would be liable for an abetment offence.

According to MOM, under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, any foreigner working without a valid work pass or moonlighting, and others found abetting the offence, may face a fine of up to S$20,000 or imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

Foreigners who are found guilty to have carried out illegal work may also be barred from working in Singapore.

MOM added that it has also contacted the delivery platform companies to ask what they are doing to prevent the "misuse of accounts" of legitimate delivery workers by unauthorised parties.

Background on incident

The video from Mar. 8 showed a man in blue covering his face and appearing to be crying, as another man behind the camera confronted him.

The latter accused the man in blue of being an "illegal rider", and said he was doing a "local delivery job".

He also took a video of the food that was in the delivery bag, and the receipt of the delivery.

Details such as the delivery location and the food delivery company, foodpanda, could be seen in the video.

In response, the man in blue covered his face and squatted down on the side of the road, and put his hands together as if begging the man behind the camera.

According to the foodpanda website, individuals have to be a Singaporean or PR to ride with them.

This is also a requirement for both GrabFood and Deliveroo food delivery riders.

foodpanda: Rider's account has been suspended

In response to Mothership's queries, a foodpanda spokesperson shared that they are aware of the incident, and have since suspended the rider account involved.

The spokesperson also confirmed that only Singaporeans and PRs are eligible to be delivery partners of foodpanda.

"Any accounts that go against our terms and conditions will be suspended or blacklisted."

In addition, measures have been put in place to prevent the misuse of accounts of legitimate riders.

"It is mandatory for delivery partners to complete a selfie verification before the start of every shift to prevent identity fraud and to protect their own accounts.

Failure to do so can lead to account suspension and potential blacklist."

Individuals who suspect any unauthorised use of a rider account to report the matter to foodpanda for investigation.

Related story:

Top images screengrab via SG Road Vigilante - SGRV/FB.