Salary criteria for employment pass and S pass to be raised

[PNGMK]

There is no question that the intent of these changes is to reduce foreign employment numbers in Singapore. That's all that really matters.

[PNGMK]

This is surely bound to catch out a lot of older EP applicants and especially renewals come May 2021.

"The qualifying salaries for older and more experienced Employment Pass candidates in their 40s will also be raised, remaining at around double the minimum qualifying salary for the youngest applicants, said MOM in a press release."

1. Granularity now finally (financial sector called out - min of $5,000).
2. Seniority has to have commensurate pay level
3. Major major issue for foreign grads - the starting pay level is very high.

[venton]

For the smes.
Expect a salary hike on paper, and cashbacks under the table.

For MNCs.
Expect a wave of FX remittance abroad, as a form of gratitude payment for bumping up salaries.

Hard to prove these allegations.
Heard about it all the time.

This kind of rumors are really old, till date no one can prove.

It's too risky move for the SMEs boss, the pass holders can reject to cashback, and the boss cant do anything because he can be reported too. And there can be a few pass holders, not easy to trust all of them.

I really cant see why a boss want to risk his business with a few FTs.

Not true, as a recently retired (15 months ago) former SME HR & Finance Mgr, I know of dozens of cases where the directors have been taken to task by the MOM. I also knew of some companies who practiced those kinds of kickback schemes but didn't get involved with it in the industry I worked in where usually up to 60+% of the staff were either on WPs or S passes (these governed by the MOM's quota system). The following are only a sampling of those caught. It's a ongoing cat&Mouse thing for the MOM.
https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-r ... fma-and-ea
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ ... -kickbacks
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/e ... gn-workers
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/si ... om-9368554

Thanks for the info and links.

Good to know that it is still a cat and mouse thing, instead of MOM bo chap. I think MOM should provide more channels for whistle blowers, don't let these companies tarnish the term SMEs (although it is quite bad already).

[Max Headroom]

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a contraction in the number of visas issued because the demand for foreigners is going to be less” in the near term, said Hays Plc Regional Director for Singapore Grant Torrens, citing the sharp contraction as the main driver."

Plunging property values and rents in 3 2 1...

[PNGMK]

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/govern ... -hire-push

In this article they talk about a Kiwi Nurse who probably wasn't even registered with the SNB as a local RN or EN. Do you research people before moving here for a job!