Moving to Singapore? Ask our regular expats in Singapore questions on relocation and their experience here. Ask about banking, employment pass, insurance, visa, work permit, citizenship or immigration issues.
-
malarky
- Newbie
![Newbie Newbie]()
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 1:46 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by malarky » Thu, 30 Jul 2009 4:36 pm
Hi All,
I am considering a transfer to Singapore from HK at the request of my employer. I am happy with my salary and overall compensation package in HK. However, I’ve been told by colleagues (unofficially) and have heard that if I relocate to Singapore, I should /could expect a cut up to 20% of my salary (no change in other benefits). The rationale for the cut is a lower cost of living in Singapore relative to HK.
My question is:
1. What are the things that would be cheaper in Singapore that would justify such a cut? Housing, perhaps?
2. For those individuals that transferred from HK to Singapore (whether or not with the same employer) did you encounter this argument when you negotiated the terms of your relocation? Of course, I understand each situation is different, but was just curious to know if this argument was thrown out there; and whether it holds water.
I feel that I shouldn’t suffer a pay cut simply because of where I’m living. After all, I will be doing the exact same job with the same level of responsibility and stress as I would be if I hadn’t relocated.
Any thoughts?
-
ScoobyDoes
- Manager
![Manager Manager]()
- Posts: 1667
- Joined: Wed, 29 Nov 2006 6:42 pm
- Location: A More Lucky Spot
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by ScoobyDoes » Thu, 30 Jul 2009 4:54 pm
I said it recently somewhere else......
Keep your basic salary unchanged and let the company sign for your accomodation and work out any other package separately.
Why should your basic salary remain unchanged....... because i assume your work is unchanged!
Oh...... and there is no friggin way i would move here for 20% less, things here are not THAT cheap compared to HK, and in HK many things are actually cheaper.
-
mrslam
- Newbie
![Newbie Newbie]()
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri, 31 Jul 2009 5:17 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by mrslam » Fri, 31 Jul 2009 5:36 pm
It all depends on your negotiation with your employee. Generally, the pay scale in Singapore is lower then singapore. Though i managed to negotiate to keep the basic the same, the company freezed my basic when they do bench marking each year ... worse when it is in recession. Good luck in negotiation.
-
Swiss Wife
- Member
![Member Member]()
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Fri, 07 Aug 2009 2:54 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by Swiss Wife » Sat, 08 Aug 2009 6:02 pm
We moved here from HK 3 months ago.
Housing is a lot cheaper for us.... Our housing budget from the company here is about 40% of what we had in HK and we have a comparable sized house - we had a 3000 sqft mid levels apartment.
Food costs for us have been similar. We eat out maybe 3/4 times a week in restaurants and food courts and the rest I cook.
Wine here is LOADS more expensive, that is either in the supermarket or out at dinner. Going out for a beer is quite pricy too - comparably unless you hunt down the happy hours.
We don't have a helper but the cost to have a live in helper is lower here.
It really depends on your lifestyle. The only thing that changed when we moved here was the housing allowance.......
If the cut is to the overall package including salary AND housing allowance then that is a different story but our package is all itemized separately, salary is unchanged....
-
Usman_DC
- Newbie
![Newbie Newbie]()
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:02 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by Usman_DC » Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:40 pm
malarky wrote:Hi All,
I am considering a transfer to Singapore from HK at the request of my employer. I am happy with my salary and overall compensation package in HK. However, I’ve been told by colleagues (unofficially) and have heard that if I relocate to Singapore, I should /could expect a cut up to 20% of my salary (no change in other benefits). The rationale for the cut is a lower cost of living in Singapore relative to HK.
My question is:
1. What are the things that would be cheaper in Singapore that would justify such a cut? Housing, perhaps?
2. For those individuals that transferred from HK to Singapore (whether or not with the same employer) did you encounter this argument when you negotiated the terms of your relocation? Of course, I understand each situation is different, but was just curious to know if this argument was thrown out there; and whether it holds water.
I feel that I shouldn’t suffer a pay cut simply because of where I’m living. After all, I will be doing the exact same job with the same level of responsibility and stress as I would be if I hadn’t relocated.
Any thoughts?
I guess because of the fact that HK is too congested, the Housing rental is expensive (relative to size). But other than that, Transportation, food, entertainment is about the same.. if not, some places in Singapore may be more expensive. These all depends on your living lifestyle...
Good Luck in your negotiations with your boss...
-
ringo100100
- Member
![Member Member]()
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Mon, 20 Jul 2009 9:59 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by ringo100100 » Fri, 04 Sep 2009 3:59 pm
I wouldn't take that cut. Hong Kong being expensive is now a myth. I lived in Singapore for 4 years, moved to HK for 6 months in Jan 09 and am now back here.
Being a single guy who likes a drink, almost everything is more expensive here in Singapore accept maybe food court food.
Single Housing - studio/ one bed/ small two bed - 20% more here.
Beer - 50%-100% more here.
Supermarket - about same.
Taxi - about same.
Bus/ MRT - about same.
Dinning out - about same.
Electrical goods - similar, maybe slightly more here as less copies.
Cloths - less markets here. But generally similar.
Health - about same cover provided - but I prefer Singapore standard.
But I don't know about cars/ schools / family houses etc.
-
-
- 0 Replies
- 5711 Views
-
Last post by CYM
Sat, 22 Feb 2020 12:52 pm
-
-
Telegraphic Transfer UOB
Replies: 1
First post
Not in Singapore anymore.
Need to transfer funds from UOB account above the daily threshold.
Called the bank and the call centre says I need to...
Last post
I know other banks like DBS you can just log online or through bank app to change the transfer limit?
- 1 Replies
- 4599 Views
-
Last post by abbby
Mon, 11 May 2020 12:48 am
-
-
- 21 Replies
- 17873 Views
-
Last post by TropicalExpat
Wed, 02 Sep 2020 7:23 am
-
-
Transfer domestic helper from abroad to Hong kong (possible?)
Replies: 1
First post
Dear All,
I know this post is about moving to SG... but i am heading the opposite direction and :-| i am totally a rookie at this .... so appreciate...
Last post
Sounds possible, why not contact a maid agency in Hong Kong and see if they can help with the transfer?
- 1 Replies
- 3254 Views
-
Last post by abbby
Fri, 26 Jun 2020 9:48 am
-
-
look for a direct transfer maid to take care infant
Replies: 12
First post
Hi.
Anyone who has a good maid to transfer. I need someone to take care my 3 month boy.
Please contact me @8421*6744.
Thanks.
Last post
maybe his SC wife is ban for apply maid.
That would explain OP's pissy mood.
- 12 Replies
- 9576 Views
-
Last post by PNGMK
Tue, 14 Jul 2020 9:44 am
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests