SINGAPORE: In a surprising turn of events, a 35-year-old Chinese national, Zheng Zongren, has been slapped with a hefty fine of $10,000 after illegally working as a food delivery rider for over a year and a half in Singapore.

The fine was imposed on January 2, marking a significant crackdown on illegal employment in the city-state.

Zheng established a foodpanda account using his friend's identity to circumvent the restrictions that prevent non-Singaporeans from securing such delivery roles. Under Singapore's Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, only citizens and permanent residents can legally work as delivery riders, a fact Zheng was evidently aware of when he decided to take this gamble.

Reports indicate that during his illegal stint from August 2021 to April 2023, Zheng earned approximately $2,000 a month, culminating in total earnings nearing $40,000. He justified his actions in court by pleading that the funds were imperative for paying his mother's medical bills in China. This plea reflects a broader issue where many foreign workers face the pressure of familial financial responsibilities, often leading them to cross legal boundaries.

Zheng's work schedule was grueling, as he balanced his primary job as a metalworking machine setter/operator with extensive hours of food delivery. His typical week involved delivering food every weekday from 5:30 PM to 11 PM, in addition to lengthy shifts on weekends. Such relentless work stresses the desperation that many foreign workers feel in competitive job markets.

The law eventually caught up with Zheng in June 2023 after police officers conducted a routine spot-check. This led to an investigation initiated by the Ministry of Manpower, unveiling his illegal activities. Zheng was represented in court and received a fine that aligned with the prosecution's expectations, which ranged between $10,000 and $12,000.

Interestingly, Zheng's case sheds light on a larger issue of employment regulations in Singapore, where foreign workers frequently navigate complex legal frameworks while trying to provide for their families. As outrage grows regarding illegal employment practices, authorities are expected to step up enforcement, potentially leading to more stories like Zheng's as byproducts of stringent immigration and labor laws.

Furthermore, Zheng's predicament comes on the heels of another incident where a foreign man was arrested for selling tissue packets and begging outside a local temple, underscoring the challenging circumstances many foreign nationals face in Singapore.

The situation continues to evolve, and it raises questions about the balance between protecting local labor markets and the precarious positions of foreign workers seeking to support their loved ones back home.