From Expat Contract to Local ++ Contract ?

[lucabraco]

Hello,

I am looking for some advice on employment benefits.I have lived in Singapore already for 5 years with full expat contract but now we have agreed to localize my employment. Company promised to include in my base salary some housing allowance and also some extra to buy better insurance.

Now I am wondering what else should I ask? I am working as Lawyer in big MNC but the local HR does not really know what type of benefits I should be allowed to as my localization contract will be "Local ++" -form. My base salary is about 200k SGD per year but I would like to some additional salary or benefits. E.g. as my role is global there is lots of travelling involved and as I dont get pensions (which did when I had my expact contract) , I am wondering what is reasonble to ask from the company considering that I am director level employee.

I was thinking that at least some sort of transportation allowance and housing allowance would be feasible but how about harship (for travel) etc. Do you have any ideas what is normal in the MNC's when they offer local ++ contract (not just local). I have 25 holidays per year, is this normal?

All answers are welcomed - thank you very much!

Luca

[okonu]

Best thing to do is contact a headhunter in your field and ask them

[eieigoto]

thank you very much!

[Strong Eagle]

Local people don't get housing allowances, they don't get travel allowances, they don't get hardship allowances. That's what expats get. Locals get a salary. Sounds to me that the company is trying to cut costs... put you on a local package.

[x9200]

Also 25 days of paid leave is highly abnormal for any local contract - locals get 7 to 14 days only. In other words, appreciate it if it's offered.

[Hidy Ho]

Also 25 days of paid leave is highly abnormal for any local contract - locals get 7 to 14 days only. In other words, appreciate it if it's offered.

I work for US based MNC in Singapore on a local contract and get 25 days (or more - can't remember). We're fairly global on paid leave (based on level + service years). I also get paid employer's CPF Contribution directly to me as I'm not SC or SPR.

I don't think anyone on EP is truly "local" contract? I read on MoM site that employer is obligated to send pass holder back home (unless previously consented)?

[PNGMK]

You can negotiate everything really. From experience working in an MNC we have a lot of people on local++ deals.... typical case of what you should be looking for is;

1. Car allowance or transport allowance
2. CPF paid to maximum amount allowable per year via employer top ups
3. AWS (13th month salary).
4. Joining the group insurance scheme.
5. Variable bonus on performance.
6. Joining in the group insurance schemes the company may have

However what you really need to do is work out what you would accept... Some of our local ++ guys are on $400,000 plus in pay alone with no other benefits. That allows them to easily rent a decent condo and pay for FOUR kids in the Aussie schools.

[x9200]

Also 25 days of paid leave is highly abnormal for any local contract - locals get 7 to 14 days only. In other words, appreciate it if it's offered.

I work for US based MNC in Singapore on a local contract and get 25 days (or more - can't remember). We're fairly global on paid leave (based on level + service years). I also get paid employer's CPF Contribution directly to me as I'm not SC or SPR.

I don't think anyone on EP is truly "local" contract? I read on MoM site that employer is obligated to send pass holder back home (unless previously consented)?

Unless something changed recently, I was once offered a job, local contract, big big big MNC, and one thing I couldn't make them change was the amount of leave fixed at 14 days. I was on EP that time.