Job Offer - must be PR !

[martincymru]

I was offered a job (in principle) but they pulled the plug 'cos I am not PR (I am on an EP).

They are willing to discuss "other engagement options".

Not been down this road before. Please advise what my "other options" are since I am keen to "engage/work" for this company, full time.

[sundaymorningstaple]

There aren't any other options if you are not a PR. I'm assuming you are on an EP with another company or your own company? If on your own company as an EP holder, then you could possibly sub-con to them but that would be the only 'legal' way to do it. As a PR you would not be prevented from having your own company AND working for someone else as well (assuming the company has no issues with it), but otherwise, not going to happen. I don't understand their rational, however, as it's cheaper as an EP as they would not be required to pay employer's CPF and there is no levies for EP holders - yet. Let us know what "other" engagement options they offer.

[Strong Eagle]

I don't understand their rational, however, as it's cheaper as an EP as they would not be required to pay employer's CPF

Problem solved by setting PR salary = EP salary - CPF employer contribution

SMS is correct, however. You either have your own company and your own EP, or you apply for this job and they get you the EP.

[martincymru]

Not sure how the quota system works but I remember few years ago that the prospective employer said "... we are at the limit of our expats [EP] quota ....." (or words to that effect). It may be the same situation here.

Point taken, I need to set up Ltd company and employ myself (this a subject in itself so PM me if you can recommend an entity to assist me with this).

[Strong Eagle]

There is no EP quota. Firms can hire as many as they can without needing to maintain a balance to local hires. Any company that tells you otherwise is full of shit.

You need to read through the MANY threads in both Business and Careers forums if you think you are going to strike out alone.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Strong Eagle, that is not entirely true. However, it's not something published like the dependency quotas for S pass and WP holders. In fact, it was in the news just yesterday. Let me see if I can find a link......

....here you go:
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/38 ... m-sporeans

So while there is not any quotas per se, if they think there is a deliberate ploy to keep from hiring suitably qualified locals so that they can hire foreigners of their choice, they are going to be taken to task. We just don't know what the numbers/percentages are!

[ecureilx]

So while there is not any quotas per se, if they think there is a deliberate ploy to keep from hiring suitably qualified locals so that they can hire foreigners of their choice, they are going to be taken to task. We just don't know what the numbers/percentages are!

And certain sectors and companies are continuously squeezed tightly while some aren't disturbed at all ...

[the lynx]

Interesting - the whole time I thought there was a quota to EP as well!

[Strong Eagle]

So while there is not any quotas per se, if they think there is a deliberate ploy to keep from hiring suitably qualified locals so that they can hire foreigners of their choice, they are going to be taken to task. We just don't know what the numbers/percentages are!

I am in agreement with you on that point. It's less a quota than a "balance of talent". You can have your high powered investment banker... bunches of them, if you wish... so long as there is a 'proper' representation of locals in the support roles. Trying to put EP's into all the support roles would raise a lot of red flags.

[ecureilx]

Interesting - the whole time I thought there was a quota to EP as well!

True story..

There is a very new start up technology company with over 90% EP holders.. of the 100 staff, and they are doing cutting edge development work and their global HQ is Singapore.

While another not so new technology company's Singapore branch can't get any more EP approved and is desperately looking only for SC/PR ... even though their current foreigner ratio is less than 10% of their total head count.

MOM has their own quota for EP but its tightly controlled.