rogery wrote:Hi All,
My friend got an overseas degree recognized by MOM. He applied to work in Singapore under Employment Pass as a service crew staff through a registered recruitment agent. The agent told him that his salary is $1,500/month. In my understanding this salary is far too less than min salary for EP which is 3k. To my surprise, his EP was just approved by MOM.
Is there something incorrect here that the agent made to his application, or there's a discrepancy between regulations and reality? Anybody can tell?
Did he see a copy of the application submitted to MOM with the salary stated ??
That will show how much was stated ..
In other days I would have said that the agent must be reported to MOM .. though at the risk of your friend loosing his job ..
Billyb: Taking a large chuck of the salary happens, using some 'innovative' terms in the employment contract .. like .. "in lieu of .. " or "placement fee" or .. "services provided for candidate for ensuring seamless settling in .. " etc etc.
OP: reporting to the MOM: if the OP has signed an agreement back home, and the country of origin 'encourages' such 'placement fee' .. not much can be done.
Especially In the service industry, it is pretty common for staff to be declared a higher pay and paid lower .. and there are enough takers willing to forego half their pay ..
And it doesnt' help if such 'fees' are actively encouraged in some countries .. and there is not much in terms of recourse ..
MOM sees - Salary declared 3,000, salary paid to employee 3,000 (as they made scamming tougher by insisting on bank transfer) .. if the candidate gives back half his pay to the employer (or agent in this case, in lieu of the placement fee, flight ticket, medical, insurance, and more .. ) MOM cannot be much help ..
