Posted on 11 March 2024 | 1,604 views | 5 commentsForeigners have been spotted working illegally in the Boat Quay area, even as the authorities continued theirWomen from Eastern European bloc countries including Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and Belarus have been operating outside a pub in Circular Road, where they get men to buy them a “special” margarita drink at $100 a glass.
Entertainment outlets in the area were targeted in a series of police raids in 2022 and 2023, with the authorities seeking to crack down on illicit activities including solicitation. Around 6,700 people were checked, with the authorities arresting 523, including women who had allegedly offered sexual services.
Some girls were seen darting inside the closed-door bar whenever a police car drove by. A neighbouring tenant, who did not want to be identified, said the bar moved in only about five months ago. Some of the women were around 22 years old, and on tourist visas. They said they work six days a week, from 8pm until closing time at 3am.
A man, who identified himself as one of the directors of the pub, said their clientele largely comprised Caucasian men and people who work in the Boat Quay area.But he added: “From what I understand, as long as they have an employment pass, they can work .”