Government e-survey

[ginger_bread]

Has anyone received a letter from the Government about "The Singapore Global Network" and an e-survey? I received one last year but did not answer the survey. This year again I've received a letter inviting me to complete the survey.

Both my husband (North American) and I (East Asian) are EP holders but my husband never received such a letter. I asked some colleagues at work and it seems like not everyone had received the same letter.

Last year I took a look at the survey and the last question was about whether I would consider applying for PR in Singapore. Since I had arrived in Singapore for less than 2 years at that time, I was not sure if PR was something for my family, so I decided not to complete the survey. This year I am still unsure especially since my husband has not received the same letter.

I am a bit worried if there will be any negative consequences (e.g. EP renewal not approved) for not participating in the survey.

Many thanks.

[Steve1960]

I got the letter yesterday and completed the survey today. The same thoughts crossed my mind but the questions seem pretty harmless so I decided to go ahead.

[ScoobyDoes]

I got mine at the weekend and completed it.

In all fairness it will be their loss if they cancel my EP but apart from complaining about 'Cost' and 'Traffic' my answers were generally good.

[whoisit]

I got one too and completed the survey yesterday. Most of the questions seemed harmless but some I wasn't unsure as they felt loaded to me. May be I was thinking too much and trying to put myself in the shoes of the person who would read my responses

[Brah]

What questions were in the survey?

[BillyB]

Some questions were limited and quite prescriptive - specifically, 'what 3 things do you like, and what 3 things do you dislike about Singapore'. You could select 'other' for one answer, but had to pick two from a limited list for the other two. Hardly representative.

A pre-election, blowing smoke up arse exercise? Given all your personal details were recorded against the survey, it will likely produce skewed positive results.

[Brah]

Some questions were limited and quite prescriptive - specifically, 'what 3 things do you like, and what 3 things do you dislike about Singapore'. You could select 'other' for one answer, but had to pick two from a limited list for the other two. Hardly representative.

A pre-election, blowing smoke up arse exercise? Given all your personal details were recorded against the survey, it will likely produce skewed positive results.

Thanks, if that's how it's wired I'm not going to answer it, I got it in the mail as well.

[sundaymorningstaple]

A word to the wise, folks. If this survey is coming from a government agency or Singstat, specifically, PLEASE ensure that there is not codicil stating that the survey is being done under such and such regulation statute. If it's in the cover letter or anywhere on the survey, ensure that you DO fill it out and send it back. It is an offense not to. I do two or three surveys a month for the government and they are ALL under one statute or another and have to be sent in or there will be ramifications of varying degrees of unpleasantness.

[BillyB]

A word to the wise, folks. If this survey is coming from a government agency or Singstat, specifically, PLEASE ensure that there is not codicil stating that the survey is being done under such and such regulation statute. If it's in the cover letter or anywhere on the survey, ensure that you DO fill it out and send it back. It is an offense not to. I do two or three surveys a month for the government and they are ALL under one statute or another and have to be sent in or there will be ramifications of varying degrees of unpleasantness.

Castration? Water boarding? Care to elaborate.......

[Brah]

A word to the wise, folks. If this survey is coming from a government agency or Singstat, specifically, PLEASE ensure that there is not codicil stating that the survey is being done under such and such regulation statute. If it's in the cover letter or anywhere on the survey, ensure that you DO fill it out and send it back. It is an offense not to. I do two or three surveys a month for the government and they are ALL under one statute or another and have to be sent in or there will be ramifications of varying degrees of unpleasantness.

You tell me:

[sundaymorningstaple]

Okay. No problem. disregard it if you don't feel like doing it, or don't need the shopping voucher. I've gone for those types of surveys as well. They are not "required" and is why the shopping voucher enticement. The survey is being conducted by an independent organization hired by the government to get an idea on some project feasibility or other. Actual government surveys by the government ministries don't give vouchers, just threats if you don't fill it out.

[ginger_bread]

NPTD is a government department, right?

I read from their website their responsibilities include:
(a) Supporting marriage and parenthood;
(b) Naturalising and integrating our new immigrants; and
(c) Engaging overseas Singaporeans.

I feel that the sole purpose of the survey is to get our answers to the last PR question. I agree the rest of the questions are pretty harmless.

I'm worried about the PR question. If I say no, will they not renew my EP next year? If I say yes, will the government actively follow up and somehow give me pressure to apply? Will there be any risk for my EP not to be renewed because they don't have my application yet?

Maybe I'm worried too much, but somehow I feel that the Government thinks it's such a privilege that no Asian would miss to become a SIN PR or citizen. Would they feel losing face if I don't plan to apply for PR, and hence punish me by not renewing my EP?

[Brah]

ginger_bread - what questions did you see on that?

[ginger_bread]

I haven't visited the e survey this year because it requires the input of my FIN to login.

But if it is the same as the one last year, the last question was something like if I would consider applying for PR. The choices were Yes / No. Don't think there was a not sure category.

Last year I answered all the questions until I saw this one. I thought of saying no and then explain I would need more time to consider PR application at the very end of the survey where I could input free text. But then I decided not to click send or whatever button it was and just closed the browser.

I don't think they randomly draw participants. Last year I asked some colleagues in the same department, and it seemed only Asians from east Asia had received the letter, but not Indians or Caucasians. (We don't have SEA staff in my department.) We all have similar education and salary levels. Some Indians had arrived in Singapore earlier than I did but they did not receive the letter. Okay I'm sure out there some Caucasians and Indians have received the letter, but I'm very suspicious about the intent of this survey.

[aster]

Is the "Annual Survey of Services, 2013" mandatory? I do see the singstat domain listed somewhere in that letter.

There are like 5 pages where data needs to be inputted, and since my business is atypical I don't think it would be beneficial in using those stats. Can I opt out?