Any XiaoHua, Anand and Harry can qualify to work in Singapore easily
[correction made to title. spelling error. “quality” should read “qualify”. Thank you commenter]
research source: http://www.guidemesingapore.com/work-permit/c728-singapore-work-permit-schemes.htm
You be the judge of the various work permit schemes in Singapore. I am utterly disgusted how easy so called ‘Foreign Talents’ are let into this country. A ‘talent’ can be gotten for as cheap as $1800 !
And if the FT is employed for $2500 a month, he/she can be granted a EP. This class of employment pass allows the individual to apply for PR status in Singapore easily.
In my opinion, the current work permit schemes help to play a part in depressing the salaries of Singaporeans (by flooding the job market with cheap ‘talents’ from overseas).
The world ‘talent’ is very subjective. The work permit schemes should be refined such that if a local person can be found to fill a job, then there would be no need for a foreigner to be admitted. Furthermore, there should be a minimum wage level set for each job so as to ensure that companies do not set a wage that is too low to drive away locals. The common excuse used by local companies being that locals are picky and do not accept the low wages offered.
However, I do agree a dedicate balance needs to be in place. We do not want to tweak the system too much so that the companies have to offer a exorbitant salaries to hire locals. This would have a adverse effect on the profitabilty for the company and they would be forced to re-locate to other countries.
In the current scheme of things, the balance is obviously tipped towards having too many foreign imports and hence wage levels are depressed.
The following is the overview of the various Singapore Work Permit Schemes
The following are the main types of Singapore work permit schemes for foreigners in the professional employment visa category:
• Employment Pass (EP)
• Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass)
• S Pass
• Personalized Employment Pass (PEP)
None of the above Singapore work permits except the S Pass come under a quota system. This means that the work permit will be approved mainly based on the merits of the applicant and not external factors. More details about the above work passes are provided below:
[Employment Pass]
The Employment Pass (EP) is the main type of work permit meant for company owners or skilled employees that will be working in Singapore. Your fixed monthly salary must be more than S$2,500 and you should be a degree holder from a reputable university. There is no official quota system limiting the number of Employment Passes that can be issued.
Validity: Employment Pass is initially issued for 1-2 years (at the discretion of authorities) and renewable as long as the applicant continues to be employed by the company.
Eligibility: Company owners and professional staff with good education.
Quota System: No. Each EP application is considered based in its own merit
Permanent Residence Eligibility: Employment Pass holders are eligible to apply for PR status in due course.
my comment: There is no quota for this class of working permit. Basically, the government has opened the floodgates to let in graduates to compete with the locals. To qualify for this class of working permit, the bar is set low (monthly salary of $2500), to help companies depress employees’ salaries.
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[Entrepreneur Pass]
Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass) type of work permit is a variation of Employment Pass and is meant for entrepreneurs wishing to start a business in Singapore who might not qualify under Employment Pass category due to the lack of education qualifications.
Validity: Entrepreneur Pass is initially issued for 1-2 years (at the discretion of authorities) and renewable after that as long as the business remains viable.
Eligibility: Company owners that lack good education.
Quota System: No. Each EntrePass application is considered based in its own merit.
Permanent Residence Eligibility: Entrepreneur Pass holders are eligible to apply for PR status in due course.
my comments: I have read in the newspaper that Singapore wants to transform itself into a knowledge-based economy. A person lacking education qualifications to qualify for the other work permits can be deemed as a talented individual welcomed in Singapore. I find this very incomprehensible.
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[S Pass]
The S Pass is for mid-skilled employees who earn a fixed monthly salary of at least $1,800. S Pass applicants are assessed based on employer’s quota eligibility and applicant’s qualifications. Instead of a degree, a technical diploma is acceptable for this kind of work pass.
Validity: S Pass is initially issued for 1-2 years (at the discretion of authorities) and renewable after that as long as the applicant continues to be employed by the employer.
Eligibility: Mid-level staff.
Quota System: Yes. In general, the number of S Pass holders a company may hire is capped at 25% of the company’s total workforce.
Permanent Residence Eligibility: S pass holders are eligible to apply for PR status, however they may to wait for 4-5 years.
my comments: for this job class, I am pretty sure many locals have the necessary qualifications to fulfill.
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[Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)]
The Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) is a special type of Employment Pass that is not tied to a specific employer. The biggest benefit of having a PEP work permit is that you can switch jobs without re-applying for a new employment pass provided that you are not unemployed for more than six months. Candidates must meet specific requirements before a PEP is approved.
Validity: PEP is issued for 5 years and non-renewable.
Eligibility: Well paid professionals who want to work in Singapore for an employer. PEP holders cannot start their own business in Singapore.
Quota System: No. Each PEP application is considered based in its own merit.
Permanent Residence Eligibility: PEP holders are eligible to apply for PR status in due course.
my comments: I wonder how much does the individual have to be paid in order to be considered as ‘well-paid’. If a person can be considered a talent if he/she earns $1800 - $2500, well paid might be simply means more than $2500!
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[Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC)]
The Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC) is not exactly a work permit but a special type of social visit pass that allows the applicant to come and stay in Singapore for 6-12 months and look for a job. Once you have secured a job, you will still need to file an employment pass application.
Validity: EPEC is issued for 6-12 months and non-renewable.
Eligibility: Professionals with tertiary education working overseas.
Quota System: No. Each EPEC application is considered based in its own merit.
Permanent Residence Eligibility: EPEC holders are not eligible to apply for PR status. Once EPEC holders have obtained an Employment Pass, they are eligible for PR under the Employment Pass category.
my comments: This class of working permit is similar to the one I described in my previous blog.
There are a few other training types working permit. View them at
http://www.guidemesingapore.com/work-permit/c728-singapore-work-permit-schemes.htm
