Ok, here is my case (very complicated)

[nakatago]

The minimum annual leave according to The Employment Act (Cap 50) is 7 days annual leave. So if you are getting 10 and apparently working a 5 days week you are about average in Singapore. Most companies will increase that by one day per year of service up to a maximum of either 14 or 21 days. The financial industries however, have it much better.

I see. Well, comparing these 10 days with my current 28 back in my country sounds ridiculous but I'm here because of the experience so I guess I can live with it. At least for a certain period.

Buddy, the company smells fishy. Even without SMS's clarifications, it sounds like they're either ignorant and over-confident or well aware but deceitful. Even if you get your pass by a technicality, it seems that they're willing to a fast one again in your future. If, in spite of all the red flags, you still will or managed to go through with this, I strongly advise to have an exit plan ready.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Matching wavelengths!

[bobypf]

Ok, I'll probably tell them that I won't play any games and if they want to pay me 2800/mo, I'm not giving back anything.

Another question. I'm waiting for another job offer from a UK company. They want to hire me in London and to transfer me in Singapore as a "set up team" which, according to them, would avoid the MOM obstacles. They think that since I am hired in London and I will receive my salary from London, MOM would give me the EP without any problems. After a few months they plan to transfer me to one of their singaporean registered child companies or something like this. Also, can 2 companies apply for EP for me at the same time? And when am I supposed to sign any contract with the company - before I have the EP or after?

So, how does this sound and can I believe them? Of course, I still haven't seen their job offer but they claim that everything will be fine. It seems that a lot of shit can happen in Singapore...

[sundaymorningstaple]

All contracts should have a clause indicating that all terms are subject to you being granted an EP. That way, not EP, no penalty clauses. Don't sign before unless there is a similar clause within the contract.

Theoretically two companies cannot apply for an EP at the same time. They can but the first one will take precedence and the other will be bounced. The other company may hire you in the UK and send you over here, but if you have just joined the company over there and they try to do do it, you might run into the same problem. If you get greedy and decide you want to pretend you are from the sub-continent and apply to another company after having given your word to the first company, if your run into sh*t, you will reap what you sow.

[bobypf]

All contracts should have a clause indicating that all terms are subject to you being granted an EP. That way, not EP, no penalty clauses. Don't sign before unless there is a similar clause within the contract.

Theoretically two companies cannot apply for an EP at the same time. They can but the first one will take precedence and the other will be bounced. The other company may hire you in the UK and send you over here, but if you have just joined the company over there and they try to do do it, you might run into the same problem. If you get greedy and decide you want to pretend you are from the sub-continent and apply to another company after having given your word to the first company, if your run into sh*t, you will reap what you sow.

This is exactly what I expected to hear btw. So I shouldn't let the russians apply for EP if I think I'll be better in the UK company... But about this "transfer" thing... are they right about this "set up" team - that they can send me to Singapore without any problems if they need me to help them to start their new office here? And MOM will be fine with that? How exactly MOM can give me an EP since I won't be paid by a company in Singapore and I won't pay any taxes in Singapore? How is this thing arranged?

[JR8]

Couldn't read.

Can you do paragraphs man?

Sorry, man. I agree. But I just couldn't arrange my thoughts. They were too messy.
Edit: Ok, I put a little order in it.

Thanks. My gut feel?

Go back to your old job and keep that option open.

Tell these people in SG that you understand working there 'in any capacity' is not allowed, and that you will return to them if and when they have you a proper visa.

p.s. Also, I would be uncomfortable working for people that seem to be involved in dodgy visa/employment practices. You know, it would make me wonder in what other ways are they dodgy, what are their corporate morals...

[bobypf]

Couldn't read.

Can you do paragraphs man?

Sorry, man. I agree. But I just couldn't arrange my thoughts. They were too messy.
Edit: Ok, I put a little order in it.

Thanks. My gut feel?

Go back to your old job and keep that option open.

Tell these people in SG that you understand working there 'in any capacity' is not allowed, and that you will return to them if and when they have you a proper visa.

p.s. Also, I would be uncomfortable working for people that seem to be involved in dodgy visa/employment practices. You know, it would make me wonder in what other ways are they dodgy, what are their corporate morals...

Thanks a lot for the advice, dude. I was thinking to do exactly the same although they are very pushy about the job. They seem to have arranged their leaves already and want me to take over one of their employees work when he goes on leave. That's why they wanted me to start studying the work immediately.

Actually, the two managers seem like people who know what they want. They are very highly educated and their attitude is very professional. Also, their business seem to be very successful. But as I'm thinking, they could also try to pull the fast one sometimes, as in my case with the forged salary and the fact that they push me to start immediately. Anyway, tomorrow I will tell them exactly what you said. I don't want to go back to my country and continue working there but I guess I have no choice.

[JR8]

There are ways of going about things. You can feel when the balance of things in a situation feels right.

You already sense the balance is not right here.

I appreciate the pressure to take a job that you want. But don't get sucked into breaking the law for their convenience.

Good luck!

[bobypf]

Well, I'm in the company's office now and they really want to keep me here. They said that they can issue me a business visa or something which would give me a permission to be trained while I'm waiting for the EP outcome. Is this true? And they call my work before the EP "training". According to them this business visa can be issued for 1 day or something. Please, help. I'm still waiting for an answer to my question about the difference in the salary.

And btw, they acknowledged that they're targeting to a Q1 pass.

Edit: Here's the newest info. So they said I will sign a contract for 2.8 K and the remaining 300 will be deducted from my salary absulutely officially if I take enough non paid leave. So I should take non paid leave on papers to compensate these 300 for certain days each month, but still I'll be working. They said it's not forbidden to work during your non paid leave. I think I will shoot myself. Tell me what to do, please!

[ecureilx]

Sorry to wade in late .. but your case sounds like an amazing employer who made me work for 3 months, when my EP was in tatters .. and then said "oh, I can't pay you as you are not employed, and my company can only pay you 1,000 Per month, as above that, we need to disclose to IRAS, if we issue Cash checks .. blah blah, so we will give you cash check for 950$ per month .. " Con job, but .. nothing I could do ..

Well, I'm in the company's office now and they really want to keep me here. They said that they can issue me a business visa or something which would give me a permission to be trained while I'm waiting for the EP outcome. Is this true? And they call my work before the EP "training". According to them this business visa can be issued for 1 day or something. Please, help. I'm still waiting for an answer to my question about the difference in the salary.

No clue .. but smells fishy ..

And btw, they acknowledged that they're targeting to a Q1 pass.

My 2 cents says "NO TARGETTING" .. either they know it or not ..

Edit: Here's the newest info. So they said I will sign a contract for 2.8 K and the remaining 300 will be deducted from my salary absulutely officially if I take enough non paid leave. So I should take non paid leave on papers to compensate these 300 for certain days each month, but still I'll be working. They said it's not forbidden to work during your non paid leave. I think I will shoot myself. Tell me what to do, please!

Means, you are violating the law .. if they are so desperate, they should pay you what you deserve ..

MOM has seen through all these ruses .. and it is a matter of time before some bored officer innocently does a 'routine' check, the exception being they guy is highly keyed in ..

Good luck .. but I been in yours shoes and never want to be in them again .. EVER ..

But, if you are hard up and need it bad, only you can decide if you are gonna risk it or burn everything ..

[nakatago]

Exit plan. Execute. NOW.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Exit plan. Execute. NOW.

Today is my Independence day. I concur. NOW.

[bobypf]

Exit plan. Execute. NOW.

Today is my Independence day. I concur. NOW.

Thank you. And happy Independance day.

[bobypf]

Sounds like you are desperate, but since you have a job, it's not wise to take a risk of quitting your job. Plus a notice period is required when you quit a job. Anyway you need to go back to your country and work for the duration of the notice period.

It's not. I can always take a non paid leave.

[putnam]

I have never heard about a besines visa, but it
might be a visa for working holiday or internship. If the MOM is suspicious of what they are doing, the chances are that you will not get an EP.