Everyone I know is leaving or already left

[rajagainstthemachine]

it was like that coming here to Singapore in 2004, i'd stay in a serviced apt in orchard and sort of reverse commute to the west coast. but then times have changed. and JR8 you are spot on about your assessment of the commuter trains in the UK. 12 pounds for a two way 3 stop journey from winnersh triangle to wokingham and back lol. thats beyond ridiculous.
22 pounds for a two way trip to london i think it was. once again what the hell ? it is outrageous highway robbery for shoddy inefficient service.
Governments would have fallen in other countries over these prices lol

[Wd40]

I'm still here and might be for another year or so at least. I could try and apply for PR but i know what chances i have with my race :S

Heck, give it a try anyway, we've seen at least two recently who got approved that I wouldn't have given a chance in hell of approval. So, something is changing, slowly-slowly. One thing in your favour is you are not the stereotype. In fact, you are probably an outcast at home.

That's encouraging. I have an appointment set up in Aug this year. But then I guess this time its going to be even more difficult for me to get PR as I have changed so many employers here. This is my 4th company in 7 years. 1st 5 years only 1 company(actually technically 2 as I converted from agency contract to perm) and then last 2 years 3 companies

Salary has been increasing marginally though, luckily didn't decrease, even though, there were times when I was ready to take a pay cut just to stay here or for better work culture.

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[rajagainstthemachine]

ok here is another piece of bad news, my partner is getting the shaft i think, her salary is 4k and HR said the minimum amount to renew her EP is 4800 and looks like they won't be doing it, so they've given her 3 months to find a new job.
so here we go... need to find something to do short term or ship out of here as well.

[PNGMK]

Sorry to hear that Raj. Can you offer her employer $800 a month to add to her paypacket?

When did the EP level jump to $4800?

[sundaymorningstaple]

It didn't. It's $3,300/mo but that's also dependent on experience. with age and experience it won't fly as it's too low. How many years has she been there (at least two I'm assuming and more experience before arriving as her current salary is above the minimum. If she wanted to bring dependents over then she would need $5000/mo minimum.

[ecureilx]

ok here is another piece of bad news, my partner is getting the shaft i think, her salary is 4k and HR said the minimum amount to renew her EP is 4800 and looks like they won't be doing it, so they've given her 3 months to find a new job.
so here we go... need to find something to do short term or ship out of here as well.

Gee .. that's bad.

What's her specialization?

[Wd40]

ok here is another piece of bad news, my partner is getting the shaft i think, her salary is 4k and HR said the minimum amount to renew her EP is 4800 and looks like they won't be doing it, so they've given her 3 months to find a new job.
so here we go... need to find something to do short term or ship out of here as well.

Did the employer apply for the EP and MOM got back to them? They tried to renew her EP 3 months in advance? Somehow doesn't make sense. 4800 is a lot of money, its not like 1800 or something. Something fishy about the employer, change job anyways.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Wd40, that is what MOM has been advising for the past two years. Renew it 3 months out and don't wait till the last minute as nothing is guaranteed anymore.

[rajagainstthemachine]

she has options, another company is offering her 5k she could take that, current employer is going to consolidate team by getting rid of another person ( due to poor health of that person) and possibly offer her more, we have time till June, my EP is currently being extended however its taken 3 weeks already, I assume its because of chinese new year etc, it was submitted on the week of chinese year. I expect no drama's however dubai is starting to look attractive for both of us. we can already get good jobs there with better pay and breaking no sweat..however we both like Asia a lot more than we do Dubai so thats the only reason i can think of to stay here.

[ecureilx]

I expect no drama's however dubai is starting to look attractive for both of us. we can already get good jobs there with better pay and breaking no sweat..however we both like Asia a lot more than we do Dubai so thats the only reason i can think of to stay here.

With oil prices floundering - and Dubai's economy largely is influenced by Oil, even though they don't have oil - Oil Field Services, Ship support, and tankers etc.. Dubai is slowing down.

And a few retrenchments have been made known, by companies I know in Dubai.

On the positive side, there is less scrutiny for work passes in Dubai - anybody can do anything, as long as the boss confirms the candidate is capable and will be paid accordingly.

[rajagainstthemachine]

our jobs have nothing to do with Oil..All we need is an airport with good connectivity to the rest of the world.

[Wd40]

I noticed a couple of subtle changes to inconvenience foreigners, especially Indians. Not sure if these are a cause or an effect.

1) Whenever a bollywood movie released, Tampines GV always used to play it, obvious reasons because lot of Indians live in the East. The last 2 Bollywood movies though were not played in Tampines GV.

2) The Indian restaurants in Tampines are closing down rapidly. Reason: MoM only allows certain races for work permits in the service industry. Indians are not allowed on work permit to work as chefs. So it makes it expensive for Indian restaurants to hire chefs as they need to apply for s passes.

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[ecureilx]

our jobs have nothing to do with Oil..All we need is an airport with good connectivity to the rest of the world.

How about -- KL ?

1) Whenever a bollywood movie released, Tampines GV always used to play it, obvious reasons because lot of Indians live in the East. The last 2 Bollywood movies though were not played in Tampines GV.

Bollywood movies not being screened to inconvenience foreigners ? oh man .. It is about Supply/Demand. !

And Tampines has been swamped with other nationalities other than Indians .. I think so ..

[quote]2) The Indian restaurants in Tampines are closing down rapidly. Reason: MoM only allows certain races for work permits in the service industry. Indians are not allowed on work permit to work as chefs. So it makes it expensive for Indian restaurants to hire chefs as they need to apply for s passes.

The rule to make it easier for PRC chefs vs chefs of other countries has been enforced for quite some time.

The problem with Indian cooks form India, - is , they are expected to be paid 3K and above, plus preferably have a degree, to get a pass. That's too much overhead for stingy bosses.

And of late, Malaysian indian cooks are not that keen on Singapore, considering the cost of living here, even though 1 $ - 3 RM. Those that take up the offer are those who live in JB and get company transport to be sent to the Causeway, at the end of the shift. Smaller bosses- faced with rising rental, are cost cutting by reducing pay for the workers.

And the property owners, with the Singapore formula or profit sharing + fixed minimum rental- are increasing and increasing the rentals, to make demanding investors happy.

It's a vicious circle that won't end soon.

[Wd40]

our jobs have nothing to do with Oil..All we need is an airport with good connectivity to the rest of the world.

How about -- KL ?

Considering the worth of Ringgit, it's not worth working in KL. I heard the savings rate is same now in Bangalore and KL, then why bother.

In Raj's case I can understand going to India may not be an option, but still I can't imagine someone who is used to Singapore can settle for KL.

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[rajagainstthemachine]

Bangalore is better than KL.but then again going back to Bangalore would be option Z-