EMPLOYERS BEING UNPROFESSIONAL - Looking for your advise

[jpatokal]

Guys , Please tell me will there be any problem.

No, there will not be an problem. You have not taken up the S Pass, so you are not employed by the first company. An in-principle letter is not an obligation on you and there is absolutely nothing the company can do to stop you from joining another company.

I would encourage you to report them to the MOM, because what they're doing is totally illegal. Do you have any proof in writing of the $5000 "fee", cut in offered salary etc?

[sundaymorningstaple]

SE, you wouldn't believe how widespread the problems is.

Lot's of guys are duped by agents here and in their own countries before they get here. Most, however, are still getting ripped but at least the majority know they are getting ripped up front and are okay with it. (S Pass holders) I've been told that a lot of agents are upfront with the S Pass holders before they are even offered the positions. But because they are even worse off in their home countries they take on the positions anyway. A lot of them put up with it for a year or more and then apply for PR which, if they are degreed S pass holders, they will normally get it. But there are dozens of ways to pull the scam without leaving any tracks for MOM. The more obvious ones are getting caught due only to employers further mistreating the workers.

[Dineshwar]

Thanks a lot guys for all your reply. I ve said my new company to apply my EP pass today. Hoping for the best.

[blue_thunder]

Good luck with your pass application


Cheers.

[Dineshwar]

My second company said me that they are not able to apply for my EP in online system. It is showing some error that my application is currently with another company.

I really dont know what to do..Please give ma a advise. What should i do now.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Is the second company applying for an EP or an S pass? Normally applying for a S pass doesn't have that problem. Don't know about s & ep at the same time. However, the easiest way around it, provided what you have told us is true, is to call employer #1 and TELL them to withdraw the application and if they don't you are going to MOM and explain to MOM what they have told you that you will have to do if you join the company. While you may not have anything in black and white, it's a good possibility that they will let it go rather than having MOM snooping around their company and their agent and talking to employees hoping one will slip up.

[Dineshwar]

Hi. I just went to the 1st company and said I am gonna complain them to MOM. Within 5 min they cancelled my application and took a print out of withdraw application from and gave it to me. My new company said they will prepare my EP tomm. I hope there wont be a problem then..

[vinsebby]

Hi SMS & Everyone here,

I am still undergoing the problem with the 1st company . My 2nd Employer tried applying for my EP and it did not get thru cos already a "SPass (IPA only) been approved under my FIN number". I called up the 1st company and spoke to them (showing my high frustration) saying why are they doing this? why do they ever have to hold my Spass (IPA only) approval? when i am not interested to join their company when they hv not even given an offer letter. I told them i am taking this very seriously with MOM. They immediately asked me not to go to MOM and they will cancel it within today.

Now they are creating a Drama saying that "they have already received a letter from MOM, stating REASON FOR HOLDING THIS CANDIDATE'S IPA (Spass)?" and the 1st company has not replied so far for this letter to MOM. It seems MOM as also stated that "if the reason for holding is not genuine, then the IPA approval will be cancelled manually by MOM". This letter was sent to them last saturday (13th June 09) and they need to reply back within 7 working days.

Now i am totally clueless , what will happen? will MOM cancel this or go with the 1st company's decision? Will it be possible for the 1st company to "sue" me in anyway?

Will this not create a bad impression abt me with MOM? will my EP application by 2nd employer be successful with MOM?

Awaiting your advise...

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hi SMS & Everyone here,

I am still undergoing the problem with the 1st company . My 2nd Employer tried applying for my EP and it did not get thru cos already a "SPass (IPA only) been approved under my FIN number". I called up the 1st company and spoke to them (showing my high frustration) saying why are they doing this? why do they ever have to hold my Spass (IPA only) approval? when i am not interested to join their company when they hv not even given an offer letter. I told them i am taking this very seriously with MOM. They immediately asked me not to go to MOM and they will cancel it within today.

Now they are creating a Drama saying that "they have already received a letter from MOM, stating REASON FOR HOLDING THIS CANDIDATE'S IPA (Spass)?" and the 1st company has not replied so far for this letter to MOM. It seems MOM as also stated that "if the reason for holding is not genuine, then the IPA approval will be cancelled manually by MOM". This letter was sent to them last saturday (13th June 09) and they need to reply back within 7 working days.

I assume you are still talking about the 1st company. If they don't cancel it themselves by the 20th, then it would appear that MOM will cancel it for you manually themselves (this happens because there are a lot of jerk employers out there as you have found out).

Now i am totally clueless , what will happen? will MOM cancel this or go with the 1st company's decision? Will it be possible for the 1st company to "sue" me in anyway?

Mom will cancel it and your other (2nd employer) will be able to proceed with the application without any further problems (theoretically). The 1st company can't do sh*t. Tell them if they try anything else you will tell MOM. Only this time? Do It!

Will this not create a bad impression abt me with MOM? will my EP application by 2nd employer be successful with MOM?

No, it wont have any bearing on you what so ever. You are in the clear. It's the employer who is digging their own hole (if MOM has to cancel it manually they will want to know why the employer is treating staff or potential staff that way. They may actually start a behind the scenes investigation of the company.

Awaiting your advise...

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hi. I just went to the 1st company and said I am gonna complain them to MOM. Within 5 min they cancelled my application and took a print out of withdraw application from and gave it to me. My new company said they will prepare my EP tomm. I hope there wont be a problem then..

I rest my case.

Congratulations and welcome to Singapore!

[gonzales]

Tell the first company to kiss your arse. They can't sue you. They can't do squat. We apply for S passes all the time. We have employees on S passes who apply with other companies while they work for us and only give us notice when the prospective new employer gets the IPA. Additionally, if you are on a Dependents pass you need even get an S pass or EP. All you really need is a Letter of Consent from MOM (the new employer has to apply for it) There isn't even a levy attached to it (S pass has a $50/mo levy) EP's have not levy at all.

The scam that the company is working is illegal as hell. However, it done by a lot of companies here. Tell them to shove it and if they so much as breath the world "sue" then you will go straight to MOM and lodge a report on what they are doing when trying to hire foreign workers on S passes and underpaying them.

For the record, any employer can enter your FIN number and will be able to tell if you have an approved IPA. But, they cannot tell who the company is. You could have several IPA but they are only IPAs. Approval in Principle. Only one company can have the Pass issued however. Tell the first company to stuff it. It sounds like MOM may have misunderstood you as you don't have to manually cancel anything. Nothing has been issued yet.

Hell, tell them (the first company) they need to give you a Grand just to keep your mouth shut now or you will report THEM to the MOM. (just kidding)

Some very sound advise. But seriously don't do try to extort them.

[vinsebby]

Dear SMS and everyone here,

Thanks to all your advise. My problem got solved in 2 ways.

1st - As per my last post, MOM gave a deadline of 24th for the 1st company to give them reason. The 1st company by themselves have cancelled my IPA by 23rd evening.

2nd - I got my PR approved, so free from any kind of visa issues henceforth.

Thanks to everyone here.......

[quim]

to blue_thunder or anyone:

i am an employment pass holder, just recently I have received the IPA for my new employer.

i saw blue_thunder's post and would like to ask when should I/existing employer cancel my existing pass. my last day of work in my current employer is on august 31.

please share your thoughts about this. thanks!

[singaporeflyer]

to blue_thunder or anyone:

i am an employment pass holder, just recently I have received the IPA for my new employer.

i saw blue_thunder's post and would like to ask when should I/existing employer cancel my existing pass. my last day of work in my current employer is on august 31.

please share your thoughts about this. thanks!

You can have an IPA with your new employer approved. But only when the current employer cancels your work pass, your new employer can issue a new pass for you.

Meaning to say that IPA says that your pass is approved but not issued to you. MOM or your new employer can issue that for you when your current employer cancels it

Good Luck !

[quim]

hi singaporeflyer, thanks for your reply.

do you know how to cancel the pass? is it only through eponline or can we do it manually (MOM Counters)?