Good Morning SMS and others,
I have conducted some google searches, just wrote my query to MOM this morning (but I won't get a response until next week of course) and then I came across an answer by you where you stated you are/were a HR Manager. You seem to be the guru so I am hoping you can help me clarify this!
I am on a DP but have received an 'In-Principle Approval' letter for an S Pass. A friend of mine brought the following paragraph in IPA letter to my attention:
'We are pleased to inform you that this application has been given an in-principle approval, which is valid until 18/10/2012. Please be
informed that this In Principle Approval letter does not allow the pass holder to commence work until his/her S Pass has been actually
issued'.
I received an email from the HR department last week which said 'Observed that you are currently a DP holder, as such, we are not allowed to do issuance for you. Pls (sic) cancel the Depandent (sic) pass so that we can proceed to do issuance'. The email contained a screen shot from what looks to be EP online which had an error as follows:
'E3000001: Your request for Issuance is not allowed as the foreign is currently a DP holder. The existing DP has to be cancelled before a new pass can be issued to the foreigner'.
I have not attended the Work Pass Division to collect the S Pass - obviously because it is unable to be issued! It follows that I do not have a notification letter that allows me to start work with the employer, pending collection of the S Pass card.
If I have already started work, signed a contract - does this mean that I am effectively working illegally for the company? My answer to this is a resounding yes!
Cheers
AP.