Firms must advertise for Singaporeans before hiring foreign

[Jman888]

this is applying to professionals, good or bad?

 

Firms must advertise for Singaporeans before hiring foreign professionals

Published on Sep 23, 2013

 

Office workers in Singapore's Central Business District.From Jan 1 next year, the qualifying salaries for all new Employment Pass (EP) applications will be raised to $3,300 from $3,000, in line with rising salaries. -- ST FILE PHOTO : TED CHEN

 

By Toh Yong Chuan

 

From August next year, firms that want to hire foreign professionals must prove that they have tried to hire Singaporeans.

 

These employers have to advertise for Singaporeans to fill the vacancies in a national job bank administered by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency, the Manpower Ministry said on Monday. Firms with less than 25 staff will be exempted from advertising rule, or those hiring for jobs paying above $12,000 a month.

 

Those who do not advertise in the national job bank will have the foreigners' Employment Pass (EP) applications rejected. The move is part of a Fair Consideration Framework announced by the ministry that requires employers to consider Singaporeans fairly before hiring foreigners.

 

Besides the advertising rule, firms that have "disproportionately low concentration of Singaporeans" holding profession, managerial and executives jobs will have their hiring practices come under greater scrutiny by the ministry. The MOM will however not name these firms.

[Mockngbrd]

A good step but how to enforce?

Edited September 23, 2013 by Mockngbrd

[Duckduck]

A good step but how to enforce?

 

+100. thye can adverize n setup interviews they will just reject all d singies n say they fail interview then hire their own DUH

[Chickenfarm]

It is a good move. Enforcement is going to be a problem though. But at least the framework is established for them to work within. Better than nothing.

[Altivo]

Wow, the minimum salary for a FT just went up to 3.3k

[Ender]

In some countries, it's the company who needs to justify to the gahment why they need to hire foreigners before they can bring them in.

[Ngck]

so easy to get around it.

 

i want a employee that understands foreign market well and preferably have experience working in a foreign country and can speak the language.

 

doesn't matter if the job requires this or not. Even if MOM ask, there are so many ways to answer.

[Jman888]

wash dishes already $3K, you want professionals to go below that? :angry:

 

Wow, the minimum salary for a FT just went up to 3.3k

 

[Chickenfarm]

In the past, don't even need to answer

[Enye]

if the proof MOM needs is just an advertisement

 

then the new policy is not going to be effective

[Djim]

force to use advertising agency, if don't use kena penalty, do we need to pay for the advertisement as most companies also advertise in other places because of their specialisation

[Jman888]

maybe must show proof of interviewing how many local candidates but none is suitable, then comparing the skills & experience foreigner they hired with the candidates that was interviewed.

 

if the proof MOM needs is just an advertisement

 

then the new policy is not going to be effective

 

 

 

[Enye]

maybe must show proof of interviewing how many local candidates but none is suitable, then comparing the skills & experience foreigner they hired with the candidates that was interviewed.

 

i don't think MOM would be interested in setting up a sub-ministry to handle that kind of admin work load

 

[Darryn]

I sappork - think it's a good move.

 

Some thoughts -

a) of course, if you're determined to hire a FT, you will find all sorts of ways and means to do it - but t least this makes you think more about it

b) If want to reject the Singapore applicants for specious reasons - then it's not that difficult for someone from MOM to see that and call you to task

c) The policy should be backed up by stronger employee protections and more anti-discrimination laws

[13177]

Good move but not easy to enforce. Companies have 1001 ways to beat the system.

[Tjkbeluga]

A good step but how to enforce?

Easy... Company must submit the details of the candidates they interviewed. The authority will spot check a few cases and even contact the candidates to see how genuine it is. If found discrepancy, orkong that company jialat jialat and publish it.

[Tjkbeluga]

Anyway, at the of the day, neither party can hold the other party hostage. If employer finds staff here too expensive for the value they provide, they will move away. So, jobs gets out of Singapore.... LLST...

[1fast1]

A very big step in the right direction, but I don't think the salary cap should be in place. I believe even high-paying jobs can be staffed by suitably qualified and able Singaporeans.

Edited September 23, 2013 by Turboflat4