Beeroclock wrote:
True, although I've said the same previously, and been rebutted that contracts need to be reasonable, and serve the core intention/purpose, to be enforceable. If you recall when we debated the tenant early lease break issue, your thinking seemed quite the opposite there.... I would have pegged you as more of a consumer advocate.
Really ? I am not sure if I should be thrilled to have been identified as a Consumer advocate ??

I dread to admit I am not a consumer advocate ..
Beeroclock wrote:
Granted that OP has likely been naive/gullible, but it can happen to the best of us and I also get the impression he has been ripped off / gradually lured in by progressively larger fees, so I remain sympathetic that he might find a way to get some of his money back. It seems unreasonable to charge $900+ for form filing if that's all they did. I still reckon reporting to CASE might be worth a try, I know some businesses can be quite afraid of any such attention and might offer a settlement to avoid it. Also if CASE get enough complaints they might take action to raise awareness and/or regulate against these practices.
The issue is, out of the dozens of flights coming in from Asean countries, more than half the visitors are coming here looking for jobs, and there are micro-blogs for a few nationalities/communities- mainly of countries trying to everything to get the hell out of their country, all trying to tell them what is the best known way to ensure you land a job here fast, and last count, I could see atleast a few dozen, specialising in "EMPLOYMENT ADVICES" .. including how to fly under the radar for ICA purposes etc. etc. No, I can't understand most of the wording but I know what is there ..
That just shows how many are desperate to get jobs, so much so, a lot of SEA nationals are willing to forego upto 6 months pay, over a 2 year contract.
I am sure you knew this. If you didn't know this, you wouldn't understand my words "willing buyer willing seller.. "
So .. when you are running an agency, and have no intention of charging for placement, when you have candidates insisting on paying you, if you are a half inscrupulous businessman, why would you say no ?
For that matter, getting the money back ? I doubt it.
For example, how to get away with the charges ?
For example: Visa Fee says 60$, but when you go to pay, it is 240 $ = Visa fee 60 $, Notarization fee 60 $, Documentation fee 60 $, standardisation fee 60$. Now if an embassy can think of such innovative way to not keep their word on reciprocal fee of only 60 to the counterpart nationals, you think an agent who is seeming $$$ is not going to give similar breakdown ?
I am sure, for this case, the breakdown will be
Documentation charge
Filing charge
Document verification charge
Document validation charge
Document authentication charge
Employee Notification charge
job search charge
Resume presentation charge
Resume amendment charge / customisation charge
Postal fee
resume submission charge
employer's application form filling charge ..
Follow up charge
Want more ???
I hope you get the drift ..
BTW, for those who aren't in the know..
for FDWs there are lot of charges imposed on the FDWs, at the source countries, like the compulsory crash course in Mandarin, for those coming to Singapore, even though they may work for non-chinese employers, and even if Chinese, the maid is in for a bit of a rude shock when the employer's mother/father speak only Hokkein, and any crash course in Mandarin will not leave a lasting impressoin enough to allow the maid to remember the difference between Chuo and Chow ... and inflated price Medicals at the listed Medical centers, and an orientation on how to work with Foreigners / work in foreign countries .. (that seems to work as more than enough maids go mental when they see things aren't what they are taught in the course - by the trainers who never set foot in SG)
And a lawyer fee to verify the employment contract covers burial expenses, and repatriation .. and proper fees have been covered ..
Oh, if you don't engage an agent, the next available slot for Orientation is six months away. And agent can fast track it to .. tomorrow .. maybe ??
Somebody has to pay for this, and none of the employers want to pay for Mandarin, orientation etc - especially if the maid's employer is non-chinese .. for example .. and why would I want to pay for a medical taken at source country, when as an employer, I have to pay for a medical in Singapore as well ? hello ??
That is govt Sponsored "Placement Fee" for FDWs
No choice for FDWs, says me ..