THERE are apparently 'phantom' workers lurking in heartland coffee shops.

Mr Ong Ah Heng (Nee Soon Central) drew Parliament's attention to their existence when he said that was the only explanation he could come up with for the large number of foreign women working in coffee shops.

Under the law, coffee shop owners must employ six locals before they can hire one foreigner.

But some coffee shop owners are clearly getting around the law by employing local workers in name only, he said. That gives rise to the phenomenon of 'phantom' workers.

Mr Ong observed that many foreigners are willing to work 12 hours a day, as compared to the eight hours that locals will clock in.

The difference is due either to locals being older and therefore lacking the stamina to work such long hours, or having to take care of their families.

Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said in reply that his ministry is stepping up enforcement of controls on the hiring of foreign workers. It is currently investigating 33 cases for possible use of phantom workers.

Yesterday, an owner of a food and beverage outlet was charged in court for allegedly declaring phantom workers in work permit applications.

AARON LOW

This article was first published in The Straits Times.