PEP In-principle Approval

[robles_028]

I am an EP holder and applied for PEP and was issued an IPA valid for six months. My questions are :

1)Will there be any problem if I'm unable to collect the PEP card after IPA expiration?
2) Can I still apply for PEP again in the future?
3) Will there be any change in the terms of my contract regarding housing & transport allowances? Will these be cancelled by my company since I am no longer in their sponsorship?

Thanks.

[Strong Eagle]

I am an EP holder and applied for PEP and was issued an IPA valid for six months. My questions are :

1)Will there be any problem if I'm unable to collect the PEP card after IPA expiration?

Yes, there will be a problem. You cannot collect your PEP with an expired IPA letter.

2) Can I still apply for PEP again in the future?

You can apply all you want. Whether or not you are granted a PEP the second time around is anybody's guess. What is known is that the Singapore government has a long memory, and they may take it as an insult that they go to all the trouble of approving you and you don't bother to show up. There are many others who want the PEP as well. You aren't anything special.

3) Will there be any change in the terms of my contract regarding housing & transport allowances? Will these be cancelled by my company since I am no longer in their sponsorship?

Thanks.

I have no idea what you are talking about.

[zzm9980]

1 + 2) Unknown. MOM does not publish their evaluation guidelines, so no one knows how blowing them off on a previous PEP will factor into future applications. Going by previous anecdotes in the forum, it will likely be a negative influence on your next application.

3) Your employer cannot arbitrarily change your employment contract because of the PEP unless there is verbiage in the contract that gives them this right. Every contract is different, so review your contract carefully.

[robles_028]

3) Will there be any change in the terms of my contract regarding housing & transport allowances? Will these be cancelled by my company since I am no longer in their sponsorship?

Thanks.

I have no idea what you are talking about.[/quote]

++++

When one becomes a PR, he/she is no longer entitled to the housing/transport allowances because of the argument that he/she is now a resident here. My question is, does the same holds true when you becomes a PEP holder, since you are no longer undere the sponsorship of the company?

[bluenose]

Sounds like you applied for a PEP to enable yourself to look around for a better job if the chance arose....now you want to change your mind in case your company does not like it?

[zzm9980]

When one becomes a PR, he/she is no longer entitled to the housing/transport allowances because of the argument that he/she is now a resident here. My question is, does the same holds true when you becomes a PEP holder, since you are no longer undere the sponsorship of the company?

That is a condition in some employment contracts. There is no set or implied "entitlements" or non-entitlements for EP holders or PRs. Everything is set in employment contracts, and each will come down to the exact wording of the appropriate sections. If your contract says this (Which I assume it does since you're clinging to the idea so tightly), then you'll need to inspect it to see if it affects only PRs/SCs, or if it is worded in a way that could be interpreted to include PEPs. None of us know since we can't see your employment contract.

[beppi]

When one becomes a PR, he/she is no longer entitled to the housing/transport allowances because of the argument that he/she is now a resident here.

I wouldn't have accepted a contract with such a clause.
After all, I want to be paid whatever my work is worth for the company - and that is independent of whether the Singapore government likes me as PEP/PR/citizen or not.
Looks like an "Expat Entitlement Complex" (EEC) to me ...

[sundaymorningstaple]

I've seen quite a few contracts like that, unfortunately.

[x9200]

I've seen quite a few contracts like that, unfortunately.

I had it too in mine but I think it is pretty fair. The extra components of the expat package are to reduce stress and inconveniences related to the move. Once somebody is settled (if he/she decides to do it) it should be less important as it was enough time to manage more local way. I see it like airfare or moving allowance but over extended period.

[Strong Eagle]

I've seen quite a few contracts like that, unfortunately.

I had it too in mine but I think it is pretty fair. The extra components of the expat package are to reduce stress and inconveniences related to the move. Once somebody is settled (if he/she decides to do it) it should be less important as it was enough time to manage more local way. I see it like airfare or moving allowance but over extended period.

Mate, as long as the total remuneration package is equal to or greater than the package prior to PR, no problem... otherwise, there is nothing "fair" about it at all.

[beppi]

The concept that a person's degree of "settling down", as well as stress and inconveniences and financial need or worth, are affected by legal status is interesting.
I guess I am different then ...

[zzm9980]

[quote="beppi"]The concept that a person's degree of "settling down", as well as stress and inconveniences and financial need or worth, are affected by legal status is interesting.
I guess I am different then ...[/quote

I agree. I'd never take an employment contract where anything in compensation changed negatively based on any non-work related status. This means giving up allowances/stipends for residency status changes, or salary going down negatively to compensate for CPF, etc.