Yes to the contradiction, no to the burning in hell. (The law is neutral when it comes to hellfire. 
)
@Lobelt
It has been reported anecdotally, many times, that the tax office doesn’t care about anyone’s work permit status and does not co-ordinate with other authorities on this issue, because it’s a highly compartmentalized bureaucracy. Yet getting away with something doesn’t mean it’s legal, and there are cash rewards for reporting illegal foreign workers.
If you don’t have permission to work, you don’t have permission to work. Whether you get paid in salary/wage or by commission is irrelevant. (Whether you get paid at all may be relevant.)
To be safe, don’t work until you have a work permit, and when you do have one, don’t work for any other employer unless you have an open work permit (for permanent residents) or the new employment gold card (the details of which we’re still waiting to hear). It should be noted that some people don’t need work permits (mainly foreign spouses).
I’m not defending the system btw, just telling you how to avoid getting fined and deported.