employment pass renewal pending

[sundarmano_m]

hi sundaymorningstaple,

I am a senior software engineer (with EP P2) working for a MNC through an agency.I have been working in singapore for past 2 years and have 7 years of relevant work experience ( semiconductor domain)

My agency applied for my EP renewal and it has been rejected,Since my salary does not match as per MOM's revised EP framwork for P2 pass (my salary was 4300 SGD) . now my agency has convinced the client and my salary has been increased above 4600 SGD and added they have downgraded my position from senior software engineer to software staff engineer (i don't know why ?) and they have resubmitted my EP renewal. Now my EP renewal status shows PENDING for past 1 week.

Can i please know the reason

[Strong Eagle]

Probably because your agency screwed up. They knew that P2 minimums had been increased for salaries. But they went ahead and applied anyway using your old salary amount, when what they should have done is advised the client that you would need to be paid more, and then have simply filed the first time with the increased amount.

Now, it looks like a scam... because so many are doing it... get rejected, then reapply with a larger salary... and MOM knows that in far too many cases, the salary differential is being paid back under the table.

You might be in for a difficult time.

[sundarmano_m]

Hi Strong Eagle,

I totally agree with you. yes it does look like a scam.
even though it has been clearly mentioned in MOM sites that new ep framework is applicable for renewal from july 2012 .. my agency is still thinking it is applicable only for new ep application not for renewal... any way it has been screwed up for me..

Now what can i do ? ...can i ask my agency to request for a attested letter from the client which gives the details about my increased salary and submit to MOM ??

[sundaymorningstaple]

Isn't going to fly at all. I'm afraid you are going to come up against a brick wall. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained. If your employer doesn't do something, nothing is going to happen. If they do, the probability, as SE has already pointed out, will probably not fly either as they are used to these scams already and each time they raise the minimums, more SMEs try the same silly stunts. Mostly it's their fault as they seem to think their underpaid HR person actually knows what they are doing. They don't.

I think, if I were in your shoes, I'd start thinking about changing employers (might have to anyway). That, or preparing your exit plans.

[Barnsley]

I just re-read the rules for P2 renewal and it looks like I was rather fortunate to get a 1 year renewal based on old criteria as my pass was up for renewal on June 26th.

I didnt realise that there was a cut off of July 1st for the 1 year renewal under the old criteria.

Hopefully next years renewal will be OK as I am now above the P2 threshold providing they don't raise it too much.

My company is having major issues with pass renewals at the minute.