I think my current company might be sabotaging me by applying new EP IPA without consent

[Whoopa994]

Hi all fellow members sorry for the long story incoming but I really need some advice.

I am an EP holder currently and I think my company is trying to sabotage me to keep me from resigning.

So recently, I just joined this new Company A for over a month and realised it was a red flag since the 1st week. Toxic work culture and 5-6 person already serving notice period at the same time. 3 weeks in 2 more person hands in notice.

I started to look for a new job and lucky me, I received an offer from Company B within 5th week into my job at Company A. So, Company B follows the usual procedure of applying a new EP for me but somehow Company B HR informed me that they could not proceed because there is another pending EP application under my name (my current valid EP is under Company A, the additional ongoing application under god knows what company).

I was puzzled. I did attended a few interviews but most of them did not work out and they certainly did not have my personal details like passport, IC etc. How did another company applied for an EP without my consent? So I wrote to MoM about this, but to no avail MoM replied to me that they could reveal which company applied for and only mention that the application has already been approved as IPA (funny right? I am restricted to my own personal information).

So I sat down and think long, logically there is only one company that could have my details to proceed with another new application. Then I realized(suspecting) it could be 90% my Company A is using one of their subsidiary company to apply a new EP IPA for me.

So this IPA is already approved now and will be valid for 6 months. I wont be able to proceed any new applications within this new period unless the current IPA is withdrawn and Company A might be using this to put me in a difficult position of either I resign and be jobless for 6 months or work for them for the next 6 months. Their notice period is b*llsh*t as well, 2 months after confirmation and 1 MONTH DURING PROBATION.

Company B has asked me to try and contact MoM which I did but seems like their reply is always taking days and weeks and their reply to me was what I mentioned above "Due to confidential information, we are unable to reveal to you the information". I don't know how long Company B can wait for me.

Is there any advice from fellow members here or maybe someone has been through the same thing before?

[lalala88]

Hi @Whoopa994 , you can inform your company A that you will be serving notice. If you are required to serve 1 month notice, you need to inform company B that you only can start work after you serve your notice period.

If company B is fine to wait for you for 1 month (serve notice), you won't be jobless. Once you have served your last day of service with company A, you need to confirm with them that they will cancel your EP.
Once EP cancellation has been done by company A, then company B can proceed to the next step of your EP application.

[Whoopa994]

Hi @lalala88, that is what I have done currently. Served my notice and company A withdrew the application. Company B applied for me but somehow is still pending till now almost close to 3 weeks. What if my application does not get IPA in time after my resignation and there is no timeframe confirmation from MoM. I might be jobless within these periods of don't know how long i.e. 1 month, 2 months?