Headhunters asking curent salary

[peterson76]

While looking for a job, the headhunters keep asking me my current salary.
As in most Europe this is a confidential matter you are not forced to say, and it would be even allow that you lie to them my current salary, as they are asking something confidential (same with relegion, and sexual orientation).
However. here in Singapore, they all insist I must tell them as it is "mandaotry" to present my current salary to HR.
None of them have been able to tell me which law or regulation states that it is mandatory to tell the current salary.
Even if HR of the hiring company has an internal policy that requires to know the salary, this should be just between HR and me.

So, does anybody know if there is a law or regulation that forces potential candidates to declare their current salaries to headhunters and recruitment agencies? can I just lie to them if they keep asking and asking?
Or the other way, is there any law (like it is the case in many countries in Europe) that says that past salaries are confidential?

Thanks

[Nath21]

Get used to Singapore they can and will ask you anything. Every form you fill in asks you what race you are. Women will be asked when they are having babies soon? etc you get the idea. The one thing they cant stand here is people jumping positions too fast or working out they are paying too much for your services when they could pay less (very different to western culture where the position is advertised at a price openly stated). So they ask for your previous pay. In fact my company has a policy where they must keep on record your last pay slip as evidence. You will probably find many companies do the same. So you either share or risk not getting the position.

Oh and if something like this bothers you probably best not to come out here as this is the just the start of things. I would also check your employment contract word for word too as they will slip in all sorts of terms and conditions, some even not legal by Singapore Law but that wont stop employers here. Make sure you know how the bonus if any is paid and worked out, there is not restraint of trade term, yours and the companies notice period is spelt out clearly (not uncommon to have 6 months to a year here for you and they can dismiss you on the spot). Anyway you get the idea. Once you have gone through this process your ready for the rental game here and Letter of Intent, the dodgy agents, the doubledutch singlish tenancy agreement language. Dont get me wrong its great here but let go of your preconceptions of whats the right and logical way of doing business.

[nakatago]

southeast asia has different notions of "privacy."

[sundaymorningstaple]

What is legal here is any and everything. About the only thing that is illegal is giving less than what the employment act states. But that only applies to workers earning less than $2000/mo. If you are earning more than than and are in a position of responsibility, the onus is on you. If you are not comfortable with them asking for all those things that are outlawed in western countries, e.g., race, religion, marital status, gender, age, whether you plan on getting pregnant, how many kids you have and their ages, previous salary verified by pay voucher, etc, etc, then you would be better off staying home. Oh, they will want to see a photo of you as well before you are offered a position, just to make sure you aren't ugly as sin as well. This is especially true if you happen to be female. Korean companies tend to hire secretaries based entirely on looks here in Singapore! At least some that I've recruited for years ago. Don't honestly know if they still do that but I suspect they do as it's not against the law. There is no minimum wage here either.

sms

[februus]

This is especially true if you happen to be female. Korean companies tend to hire secretaries based entirely on looks here in Singapore!

ahem....which companies are these and how do i arrange an interview?

[sundaymorningstaple]

[wcs]

I remember a seminar at uni with some local seniors from my course who are now business owners. I expressed my disappointment at needing to provide totally unnecessary information for the job application.

The most important senior had a different view. He said "if you have nothing to hide, why would you not provide the information!"

I pointed out that regardless of if it is government or an employer, you don't know who has access to the information, or how they will use or misuse it, and if it could be stolen. Also whether it has to be destroyed when you leave or if it can be kept forever. In the age of identity theft a job application is a rich source of data!

He begrudging acknowledged I probably had a point!

So frustrating!

[beppi]

> He begrudging acknowledged I probably had a point!

And I bet you didn't get the job - probably because they didn't want such a troublemaker.
(That's what they think of you, not me!)

I once explained to a hapless HR lady that I would like a package based on what I am worth to her company, not based on what I was worth to another one.
She replied in an entirely innocent voice "But then we have no way of figuring out how much to pay you!"
I didn't get that job offer either.

The moral here: If you want something (job) from them, you must play by their rules.

[missis]

Beppi - did you still want the job after her dumb statement??

[Jonomo]

The worst is when they ask for a recent picture. So third world.

[nakatago]

The worst is when they ask for a recent picture. So third world.

I'm from a third world country and that doesn't happen to us. So, it's beyond third world.

[shimmeringlilies]

The worst is when they ask for a recent picture. So third world.

I'm from a third world country and that doesn't happen to us. So, it's beyond third world.

I was quite shocked when I was asked to put my picture on the application form when I first got to this interview in one of the big 4s. It was so contradictory to the laws that I was used to as it is very discriminative. I didn't mind so much about the race, age or religion column as much but there I was rumbling through my head wondering if they were looking for some call-girls to be in the position or someone who really perform on the tasks that are necessary for the job.

[beppi]

Putting a picture on your resume (or at least including one with your job application) is standard procedure in Europe. So much so that some companies won't even look at an application without - because obviously the applicant has something to hide and is thus not trustworthy.

[observer]

I was quite shocked when I was asked to put my picture on the application form when I first got to this interview in one of the big 4s. It was so contradictory to the laws that I was used to as it is very discriminative. I didn't mind so much about the race, age or religion column as much but there I was rumbling through my head wondering if they were looking for some call-girls to be in the position or someone who really perform on the tasks that are necessary for the job.

It is standard procedure and for your own good. For the most part, it helps the employers remember the person better (putting a face on the name and all that). It really helps when I've got hundreds or thousands applying for the same job.

In fact, I'm shocked that you were quite shocked. This practice is getting quite common in other large companies in other countries as well, with some even having a digital camera ready when you interview. It's just to help make the process more efficient.

[sundaymorningstaple]

But from the other side, it also allows them to "Profile" the applicant if they (the company or the HR Manager) happen to have a racist bent. Which is why the laws in the US were changed to "theoretically" protect the job applicant. Unfortunately, it doesn't really work as the racist will just find another way. Fortunately, if you can prove it, you can take the company to court. Not here though. The use things like "Must speak Mandarin" to single out what they want even though they are on the Orchard Road Shopping belt on Shenton Way in the Financial district.