30% of EP, S-Pass applicants rejected so far this year

[zzm9980]

Acting Minister for Manpower Mr Tan Chuan-Jin said 30 per cent of Employment Pass (EP) and S-Pass applicants were rejected as at end July this year.

This is up from last year's total rejection figure of 26 per cent.

He added that 29 per cent out of the total number of rejected applications were for renewals, an increase compared to 21 per cent for the whole of 2011.

Food for thought!

[zzm9980]

In his written answer, he also stated three reasons for the higher rates of rejection. They include the tightening of the S-pass sub-Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) from 25 per cent to 20 per cent of the total workforce from Jul 1, 2012.

So does that mean if you renew an S-Pass without your former dependants you have a better chance?

Secondly, the educational qualifications for EPs were also tightened with older applicants having to command a higher salary pegged to their working experience.

So confirmation they will also factor in age:salary ratio.

[sundaymorningstaple]

In his written answer, he also stated three reasons for the higher rates of rejection. They include the tightening of the S-pass sub-Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) from 25 per cent to 20 per cent of the total workforce from Jul 1, 2012.

So does that mean if you renew an S-Pass without your former dependants you have a better chance?

DRC is the sub-dependency for S pass holder alone. In other words, like my company (Service Quota), our Foreign Worker dependency is now 45% (reduced from 50%). Of that 45% (in very simple terms), S pass holders cannot make up more than 20% of the total workforce - from 25%. Has absolutely nothing to do with dependents - that will happen with renewals, because as noted, the income criteria has been increased w.e.f. 1 Sept the the S pass holder now needs a minimum income of $4K/mo before they will be allowed to have DP issued for wives & children.

Secondly, the educational qualifications for EPs were also tightened with older applicants having to command a higher salary pegged to their working experience.

So confirmation they will also factor in age:salary ratio.

Yep, that is a fact.

[v4jr4]

Still, I can only assume that single expats with at least 3K salary are on the safe place. And so, I guess this is what MS warned.

[nakatago]

Still, I can only assume that single expats with at least 3K salary are on the safe place. And so, I guess this is what MS warned.

But for how long?

When they raised the minimum salary requirement for P1 from 3500 then to 4000 then 4500, that was in a window for less than a year. Very few companies would give performance evaluations in such a short span of time, much more for raises.

The gahmen is shortening the leash of workers on these passes and I wouldn't blame these people if they feel threatened or being gradually edged out. Sure, "it's their country, their rules" but fear is hardly rational.

[x9200]

Still, I can only assume that single expats with at least 3K salary are on the safe place. And so, I guess this is what MS warned.

I see a logic linking the cut downs to the dependant pass but I don't see one to favour the singles. IMO the best combination from the SG's economy perspective would be to have EP + n x LTVP.

[nakatago]

n x LTVP.

Long term "tourists"?

Get revenue from their spending habits (from GST) but you don't need to give them financial benefits.

[v4jr4]

Still, I can only assume that single expats with at least 3K salary are on the safe place. And so, I guess this is what MS warned.

But for how long?

When they raised the minimum salary requirement for P1 from 3500 then to 4000 then 4500, that was in a window for less than a year. Very few companies would give performance evaluations in such a short span of time, much more for raises.

The gahmen is shortening the leash of workers on these passes and I wouldn't blame these people if they feel threatened or being gradually edged out. Sure, it's their country, their rules but fear is hardly rational.

I only fail to comprehend who's the target and what's the thing that gahmen wants to achieve from this.

On the completely unrelated topic, I heard that there's a strategy from gahmen to raise the tax, and then, lower the tax a little bit. Do they want to apply the same thing on the salary requirement? Means that they will downgrade the range if they see that the current limit is too high and they receive complaints from some companies.

[Barnsley]

My company is having some issues at the minute, as with worlwide consolidation, Singapore felt the force, our ratio of S-Pass holders to Citizens/PR's is not in a happy place.

Not sure the powers that be considered these things when they stopped our manufacturing capabilities.

[nakatago]

Personally, I'm anticipating the proverbial straw. And when the s*** hits the fan, I won't let any get on me.

[offshoreoildude]

Good!

[x9200]

n x LTVP.

Long term "tourists"?

I am afraid rather good wage / career hunt family bond slaves.

Get revenue from their spending habits (from GST) but you don't need to give them financial benefits.

Not only from GST. Simply if a person works here alone and have a family abroad more money goes abroad. Also if you have a family with you, you spend more money and you spend it here.

[v4jr4]

n x LTVP.

Long term "tourists"?

I am afraid rather good wage / career hunt family bond slaves.

Get revenue from their spending habits (from GST) but you don't need to give them financial benefits.

Not only from GST. Simply if a person works here alone and have a family abroad more money goes abroad. Also if you have a family with you, you spend more money and you spend it here.

In short, to avoid sardine pack, the dependents of foreign workers will be "kicked back", and the money can "travel" outside. Sounds like a plan?

[offshoreoildude]

Long term "tourists"?

I am afraid rather good wage / career hunt family bond slaves.

Get revenue from their spending habits (from GST) but you don't need to give them financial benefits.

Not only from GST. Simply if a person works here alone and have a family abroad more money goes abroad. Also if you have a family with you, you spend more money and you spend it here.

In short, to avoid sardine pack, the dependents of foreign workers will be "kicked back", and the money can "travel" outside. Sounds like a plan?

Who cares. Anything to cool down this overcrowded little red dot.

[x9200]

Long term "tourists"?

I am afraid rather good wage / career hunt family bond slaves.

Get revenue from their spending habits (from GST) but you don't need to give them financial benefits.

Not only from GST. Simply if a person works here alone and have a family abroad more money goes abroad. Also if you have a family with you, you spend more money and you spend it here.

In short, to avoid sardine pack, the dependents of foreign workers will be "kicked back", and the money can "travel" outside. Sounds like a plan?

Unlikely the reason. This is relatively small group (~ 175k/2011 for all the employment passes) of temporary immigrants with the highest income among all the foreigners. If they really cared about the squeeze as the main reason they should ban all the work permits holders (>700k/2011)
IMO the reason would be again purely political.