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S’porean freelancer’s 4-month ordeal trying to work in China with no salary & winning S$1,000 compensation A Singaporean woman has taken to Facebook to share her infuriating ordeal of having to move to China on short notice after taking up a job offer via a Singapore company, not having the proper documentation done for her by the company that engaged her, and eventually, not getting paid at all. InfuriatingHer story is all the more infuriating as she is a Malay woman who would obviously face a language barrier in China, but not much was done to help her along the way, according to her post. Not only did the company in Singapore not take precautions to ensure she was protected and taken care of, it strung her along for several months without paying her a salary and repeatedly broke agreements, until she demanded compensation by going to the Small Claims Tribunal. Although the story she shared ends on a positive note and talked about the issue as a major learning experience for her about the realities of working abroad and dealing with unscrupulous entities, the details are anything but. She also said she is sharing her story as a cautionary tale for would-be freelancers and contract workers in Singapore, who need to learn how to take the necessary steps to protect themselves. 1. Going to China as an educatorHer story began in November 2017. She was hired as a drama consultant by a company in Singapore. Her job is contract work, and she was to go to China to join a sister company to facilitate the English drama curriculum. The arrangement was for her to enter China on a business visa. But she would first fly in on a tourist visa instead, as this was her first trip in. She was told she would be allowed to stay in China for 30 days, before flying back to Singapore to get the paper work for her business visa. On Nov. 1, 2017, she was made to sign the contract, and on the same day, fly off to China. This to her was a red flag as she had just 12 hours to pack, with her flight information provided on the same day, but she chose to take the chance and went along. She was then given two contracts to sign: A Singapore contract and a China contract. Her salary was stated as S$3,000 per month. The China company was supposed to pay her — when she received her working visa. She pointed out the discrepancy as she was then only on tourist visa, but was assured by the Singapore company project manager the contracts were just a formality and things would work out. 2. First time in China and something amissOn the 13th day of her stay in China, she got suspicious and checked and found out her tourist visa entitled her to only 15 days in the country. She panicked. She demanded to fly back to Singapore, which she did on the 14th day. She wrote in her post that she wondered what would have happened if she overstayed in China and couldn’t communicate with immigration. She requested for her salary from the China company, but was told they couldn’t disburse it as it was the Singapore company who had to pay her before she got her business visa. Another red flag. 3. Two-month wait back in SingaporeAnd when she returned, she waited two months before her Singapore company did the paperwork to process her business visa. But she ended up doing the paperwork herself as it was faster and more efficient. The Singapore company then got a travel agent here to expedite the process and she got her flight itinerary to go back to China. 4. Fake itineraryOn the day she was due to fly back to China, the airline check-in staff told her there was no booking made under her name. It turned out that the flight itinerary was a fake one. It was submitted so that the China visa centre would approve of her business visa. The Singapore company explained that there was some issue between it and the China company. She then laid out two conditions for her to go back to China: She would get her own classroom to run her lesson there and the CEO of the company will settle her salary as she wasn’t paid yet. 5. Fake agreementShe made it back to China and was given a dance studio as her classroom. She personally paid for and brought over 24kg worth of teaching materials from Singapore. While setting up for her drama class, the principal from the China company started scolding her in Mandarin, saying that she was not supposed to use the space as a classroom and the talk of her having a classroom was just a fake agreement that the Singapore and China company made up for her to agree to go back to China. The Singapore company then placated her by saying the CEO will meet her in three days’ time on Friday. She didn’t have to do anything in the meantime. On Friday, the meeting with the CEO got cancelled. 6. Savings depletedFurious, she was looking to get the next plane back to Singapore. At that point in time, she had not been paid in two months and her savings were depleted from having to pay for rental and buying materials. The project manager from the Singapore company told her to stay on for one week while the issues were sorted out. She waited and continued teaching classes. However, it was a demeaning period for her as the China company made her stand in front of the school every morning in cold weather just to greet the children and parents in English. She was reassured that her salary would be paid. She just needed to stay another week in China without working, while they transferred her to another school there. A week went by and she was sent back to Singapore. The other school in China could not afford to pay for a teacher. 7. CEO kept changing the meeting datesBack in Singapore, all seven meetings scheduled on different dates to meet the Singapore company’s board of directors were cancelled. The excuses given were the same, that the CEO wasn’t in Singapore. At that point in time, four months had passed and she still wasn’t paid. 8. Sought legal adviceShe was alerted to Singapore Law Society’s pro bono services and sought free legal advice. The lawyer advised her to file a claim in the Small Claims Tribunal against the Singapore company. However, he said the Singapore company might want to get away on a technicality in her contract: It was stated that she is a “Contractor” and not an “Employee”. 9. Sought S$10,000 compensationShe filed a claim for S$10,000 against the Singapore company. That amount was the most a claimant could file for. Her justification: The company owed her three months of salary worth S$9,000 and she asked for an additional S$1,000 as opportunity costs. She had missed out on other employment opportunities in the four months she waited and shuttled to and fro from Singapore to China and back. 10. Company tried to settle with S$250One night before the consultation in the State Courts, a human resource personnel from the Singapore company called her to settle for S$250. She told the personnel to bugger off. 11. How she won S$1,000 compensationDuring consultation, the referee told her the Small Claims Tribunal has no jurisdiction for compensation. The HR manager from the Singapore company was smug about that. But she brought up the issues with the Singapore company’s malpractices and unethical business transactions to the referee. In response, the HR manager then agreed to pay her S$500 as compensation for the three months of non-payment of salary. She said no, and told the referee she was not leaving with less than S$10,000. The referee asked her on what grounds and she brought up the Singapore company’s negligence in informing her about her 15-day tourist visa to China initially. The HR manager then raised the compensation to S$700. Again she said she was not leaving with less than S$10,000. The referee asked her on what grounds, and she said she left her stable full-time job and another promising job opportunity. The HR manager than agreed to give her S$950 in compensation. Again, she said no. She said in the post it felt like she was playing The Price Is Right. Again, the referee asked her on what grounds she should be compensated S$10,000, and she turned to HR manager and said: “On grounds that it is illegal to send me to China to work on a tourist visa.” There was silence in the room. So, she turned to the HR manager and said: “If you can’t settle with my request, we can always proceed to hearing.” According to her, she had nothing to lose if the case proceeded to a hearing, as it would be disadvantageous for the Singapore company to do so, given how more details about their working relationship could be revealed. Advice for othersThe woman’s post ends with practical advice for freelancers stuck in a similar predicament, as well as a warning to those who intend on embarking on the same kind of journey by working in a foreign country but do not have the prior experience of how ti works. She also wrote about the lack of protection for freelancers and contract workers in Singapore who are not classified as employees. This is a pressing concern, as those who are not employees are usually unsure of their employment rights as contractors and have inadequate knowledge of measures to protect themselves. You can read her full post here.

As above... News is: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp...1234944/1/.html

Here's the full story, Cut a long story short - Dual citizen with Kiwi father been living in NZ since he was 8, Doesn't wanna do NS

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/video/drunk-driver-caught-trying-drive-150507672.html Police in China caught a drunk driver who was attempting to escape after he tried and failed to drive his car onto the sidewalk.

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/general-...ey-3940136.html [rolleyes]

Source: http://therealsingapore.com/content/video-dear-trs-prcs-are-now-trying-steal-cars-singapore I used brackets (PRC?) in the topic because this is not confirmed, and writer shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. Also, I am wondering why the car alarm did not trigger if someone is trying to pry open the door?

Woman gets some unexpected 'goat love' video : http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/video/pl...-165604379.html Be careful if you warm up to a cute goat in a farm. The whole bunch might warm up to you especially if you had that coming ......

Sorry i can't find the link yet. I saw it on my mobile phone news but could not find a corresponding article from my PC. Anyway a blind man molested a 14yr old boy who was helping him cross the road (happen here in SG and no, it is not FT). There are a few details which are quite wierd (obvious one is 14yr old can't escape from a blind man?) but i will wait until can find the link....or if someone can find can me paste the link here. But this is a very WTF story.... really hao xin mei hao bao....

Some Entertainment that happen earlier, enjoy...

From CNA : Poly student pleads guilty to punching SCDF paramedic Posted: 18 October 2012 1800 hrs SINGAPORE : A polytechnic student on probation for theft punched a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) paramedic who tried to help him after he found him drunk and injured at a void deck. Abdul Rahman Bamadhaj Abas, 19, pleaded guilty on Thursday to disorderly behaviour and hurting a public servant. The court heard that he punched Mohd Chan Herman, an SCDF paramedic, at about 6.30pm on August 25 this year. Mr Mohd Chan, who was sent to attend to a case in Hindoo Road, found Abdul Rahman lying at a void deck in Veerasamy Road. Abdul Rahman's arm was bleeding and he smelled of alcohol. Mr Mohd Chan dressed Abdul Rahman's wounds and with the help of a police officer, buckled him onto a stretcher. But Abdul Rahman freed himself and punched Mr Mohd Chan in the eye. The police officer restrained Abdul Rahman's wrists with a cable tie, and helped him into an ambulance. But Abdul Rahman broke free and dashed out of the ambulance, shouting repeatedly. The court heard that Abdul Rahman was on a 15-month probation for theft committed in June at the time of his offences. In mitigation, Abdul Rahman said he was sorry and that he was too drunk to remember what he had done. "I drank to relieve stress, and didn't expect to hurt anyone. I just wanted to have fun and then go home," he said. Abdul Rahman also admitted he was addicted to alcohol and added he had sought help after his latest offences. District Judge Ng Peng Hong told Abdul Rahman that he was testing the court's limits by committing offences while on probation. "Because of your alcoholism, you caused hurt to a public servant who wanted to help you but got punched," he said. The judge, who said it was the court's responsibility to ensure such cases do not happen to other public servants, placed Abdul Rahman on remand. Abdul Rahman will be sentenced on November 9. He faces up to four years' jail and a fine for hurting a public servant. For behaving in a disorderly manner in public, he can be fined up to S$1,000. - CNA/ms Committing offence while on probation and just want to have fun ... Doesn't learn his lesson and should sent to jail plus canning ...

And she's very determined!!

Read this somewhere... Making a point to always try to live simply. I don't need a lot of stuff. Society makes us think we do, but I don't. I don't have a lot of money but I get by just fine. I'm able to pay the bills, eat pretty healthily, get myself a few things here and there. I don't buy into technology, wasting money on iPads, smartphones & stuff that is not needed. I like living this way because I'm rarely ever stressed out worrying if I'm going to have enough money or something. I've made my life simple and never been happier. There're others who spend their lives trying to get the better job title, making more money, wishing for more money, buying huge homes with space they don't use and struggling to pay the house payments. Buying 'new and better' cars, filling their closets with clothes, shoes, buying 'better' tvs. Filling their homes with stuff and more stuff... they've the high when it first happens, then it goes away and they're depressed again. They're always wanting more, thinking the next thing will be the thing to make them happy again. They spend their time on looks. They spend their time trying to keep from being 'bored' by constantly watching tv, stay on the computer, texting, tweeting... I've seen people who can't do nothing for five minutes, they have to take out their phone and play with it. They have no clue how to be alone with their true selves. It is sad what these people miss out on.

Thought I would start a new one here to aviod antagonizing those who do not wish to quit. I promised bro Tigerwoods to check in when I have started my Quit campaign..so here goes. Today is Day 4...still can take it but the urge hit more often in the past 2 days. First 2 days were a breeze....maybe now body in shock? Am thinking of begging for a stick from colleague....but so far so good..haven't gone down that road...

"Subaru Impreza WRX STI" for sale see above link. The text reads "No Jokes. Logcard Shows "STI" But With A Lower OMV Than Real "STI"" Problem is when I look at the pics, the rims seem to be 16", cannot clear the STI stock brembo. The intercooler doesn't have the red STI words painted on, and is too small to be STI intercooler. The seats are black, which look like stock rex seats. The steering wheel doesn't seem to have the STI enblem. I'm betting that it's a "full demod to rex", and that it's a 5 speeder gearbox as well.. Wonder if they WROTE "sti" on the logcard. No surprises that the selling price is in base rex territory. Currently own a 2004/5 STi, and when I was shopping for mine, I came across such instances of cheating too. There it was to my face. I didn't know anything about wrx or sti then but thankfully a dad's friend was accompanying me to shop around, and I learned how to distinguish the two (can't be 100% sure but there are signs if a wrx didn't do a full 'conversion', or if a stock STi has been stripped for parts and downgrade to rex parts) the last time i came across this was when I was browsing at ubi carmart. don't know if they did the same shenanigans online.

The Immigration & Checkpoint Authority (ICA) has rejected the application of Zhang Junyi to denounce his Singapore citizenship, citing that he is not yet a legal adult. In addition, the ICA also reminded Zhang of his National Service obligation when he becomes 18 year-old. In response, Zhang sought a judicial review on ICA's decision. Zhang Junyi filed his request to the Supreme Court through his father Zhang Shaowei. Zhang Junyi was represented by lawyer Lee Jing Xiong who asked the Supreme Court to review the decision of the ICA and the Ministry of Defence on Zhang Junyi's case. Zhang Junyi urged the Court to rule that he is eligible to renounce his Singapore citizenship, he doesn't qualify for national service, and that his notice to the ICA last year which declared his intention to renounce citizenship is valid. Zhang Junyi is due for National Service registration soon. He is currently on an exit permit which cleared him for overseas studies. The exit permit will expire on 30 December 2011. The law requires males eligible for National Service to register with the Ministry of Defence when they turn 16.5 years old. Zhang Junyi's parents Zhang Shaowei and Liang Jiali emigrated to Singapore in January 1996. They converted to Singapore citizenship, along with Zhang Junyi's 2 elder sisters. 2 months after gaining citizenship, they moved to Hongkong. Zhang Junyi was borned in Hongkong 3 months after his family moved there. Subsequently, Zhang Junyi was granted Singapore citizenship the following Febraury. He lived in Hongkong until he returned to Singapore in 2005 at the age of 10 to study. In August 2010, Zhang Junyi applied to Hongkong Department of Immigration to restore his Chinese citizenship. Although the Department accepted his application, it was conditional that he relinquishes his Singapore citizenship. 4 months later, Zhang Junyi notified the ICA of his intention to renouce his Singapore citizenship. However. the ICA rejected his application, citing Section 1, Article 128 of the Singapore Constitution that a citizen can only give up his citizenship when he is above 21 years old and that parents may not make such a decision for the child. The ICA also added that according to Section 2, Article 128 of the Singapore Constitution, Zhang Junyi is obligated to complete his National Service as long as he remains a Singapore citizen. The Central Manpower Base (CPMB) also suggested that Zhang Junyi should postpone his application for change of citizenship until he has turned 21 years old and that he has completed his National Service. CMPB will consider his application. In response, Zhang Junyi described the constitutional interpretation of the ICA and the CMPB as "illogical and unfair", citing 3 points. Firstly, the Singapore citizenship was imposed on him because his parents emigrated to Singapore. Secondly, he is not a 100% citizen because he will only be accorded with full citizenship rights as soon as he relinquished other citizenships within a year after he turned 21 years old. As such, the aforementioned constitutional provisions are irrelevant. Thirdly, the Enlistment Act does not apply on him because he was less than 16 years old when he first declared his intention to ICA to renounce his Singapore citizenship. The Attorney General's Chamber (AGC) was notified of the application for judicial review in the middle of November by Zhang Junyi's lawyer Mr Lee Jing Xiong. The pre-conference trial starts today. Expert: "Interesting" Judicial Review Constitutional law expert Dr Kevin Tan told Zaobao this would be an "interesting" judicial review. He also pointed out that the Courts rarely take on cases which involve citizenship rights because very few people would submit such issues to the Courts. He also added that Zhang Junyi may not succeed in securing a judicial review because both the ICA and the CMPB did not act wilfully or irregularly, and as well as exceed their jurisdictions. Dr Kevin Tan said that Article 128 of the Singapore Constitution appears absolute and that only Singaporeans above the age of 21 are eligible to renounce their citizenship. Few days ago, Minster of Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen revealed in Parliament 8800 sons of new immigrants had been enlisted for National Service over the last five years. Among them, 6100 (70%) opted to become Singapore citizens. However, among second-generation permanent residents, 4200 gave up their permanent residency over the same period. In another words, for every three sons of permanent residents, two would enlist while one would give up his permanent residency status in order to forgo national service. Link

Sorry but i really just want to vent here. Was at Shakira's concert on Sat before the F1 qualifying. Standing in front of me were these two gals. I noticed them cos they were kinda above average. I would say one was about 6/10 and the other about 7/10. Anyway after awhile i noticed the guy next to me getting fidgety. Then he made his move and offered the gals one of his beers. When they declined, he started saying "my hand very tired!!". So one of the gals, "A", offered to hold for him. Then he continued to cajole her to drink which she eventually did. The other gal "B" flatly declined to drink saying she doesn't drink. So end up only A drank. He then proceeded to try to make some very lame conversation. Some examples (not the exact words but more or less 90%) Guy: Who u work for? A: You know Ong Beng Seng? I work for his wife Guy: *blur look* A: (helpfully) the guy who brought F1 to singapore? Guy: *still blur look* err....u mean not bernie eccle-something? Me: *shake head* Guy (to B): what abt u? (wat are u working as?) B: *just keep silent and dun want to answer* Then he continued on with his lame conversation. I already guessed she had a bf cos i saw she was messaging someone whose name was "baby". Then he eventually made his attempt to find out if they were attached so he asked Guy: so where's ur boyfriend? A & B: (looked at each other for awhile) they're busy Guy: oh....(pause) ya, my girlfren also busy A & B: *burst laughing* me: *smack my forehead* Yeah right, u have a girlfriend just like i have a lambo Aventador. He then started to ask them for their AGE (!!) doesn't he know not to ask this kinda thing espcially at the first point of contact? And worse still, he started to say A looked OLDER than B (!!). Wah lao....He later went on to comment that A was more "sporting" than B (cos B was basically ignoring him most of the time). Felt like he was basically criticising B for being "tao". Basically A took the beer so i guess she felt obliged to humour him a bit whereas B who didn't take the drink had all the right to ignore him. Anyway for 1 hour plus i was enduring the whole thing. Really give guys a bad name and i felt so embarrased. L****e, if u're reading this, get a life! S*****e & A****a, if u're reading this, i apologise on his behalf.

Dear Japanese Cartoon Experts, I'm trying to find a Japanese Cartoon that featured a young Sorcerer in the ancient Japan era. This young sorcerer has a guardian which is cat lookalike creature. Someone told me it is the Kekaishi (结界师). An example is shown here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmCDDFMkANI . But, still, this is not the one that I came across. The one that I once watched was a sorcerer whose grandfather is a supreme sorcerer. He appeared to be powerless at 1st but his potential slowly released with the help of a cat like creature. This cat looks more stylo that the above example. Do you know which cartoon am I referring to? Please advise me. Thank you very much. Regards,

It was reported in the Straits Times that Dr Tony Tan took a cab from fullerton to a "NEARBY BUILDING" where he parked his car, the total fare was only S$4 byt Dr TAN insisted to pay S$20 to the cab driver, isn't it consider buying votes????

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1135688/1/.html Lorry driver arrested for trying to bribe traffic cop Posted: 17 June 2011 1428 hrs SINGAPORE: A 26-year-old lorry driver who was booked for inconsiderate driving thought that he could get away by offering a bribe to a traffic police officer. Police said this happened at about 8.40am on Friday. Corporal Mohammed Fadly observed that a lorry driver was weaving in and out of traffic along Ayer Rajah Expressway towards the direction of East Coast Parkway. He stopped the driver and explained to him that he would be booked for inconsiderate driving. Police said the driver pleaded for leniency and asked Corporal Fadly to let him off. At this juncture, the driver allegedly took out two pieces of S$50 notes, offered them to Corporal Fadly and told the officer not to book him. Police said Corporal Fadly seized the two notes as evidence and arrested the driver for bribery. Police are investigating the driver for inconsiderate driving while the charge of bribery has been referred to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau. - CNA/cc

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic65149.html NBz.. Enjoy for 19yrs.. siam 2yrs of liability, now you want to enjoy again..

BUCHAREST : Former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu is free to travel outside the capital, Bucharest. A Romanian court accepted his appeal to do so on Thursday. Ionescu had told court on Wednesday that he needed to travel as he is now a business consultant. He also said that he would need money as the sole breadwinner providing for his family. The judge agreed with this. Ionescu also said that if the court eventually makes him pay damages he would need money to do so. He had said earlier that he had no intention of leaving the country as there is an international arrest warrant issued in his name. The former diplomat faces charges of homicide, causing physical injuries and making false statements, arising from two hit-and-run accidents in Singapore in December 2009. His next court date is on March 9. - CNA/al

Hi bros Juz went window shopping with my family for car. Checking which dealer will try to "corn" me. In order to enjoy cheaper insurance n cfm loan frm the bank. SE ask my dad (no lic) to be the buyer while i be the guarantor so that i can "enjoy" cheap insurance while i can drive the car. Got this kind of arrangement with the bank or insurance company. From my point of view, i think they trying to pull a fast one.

Hi all, Now have slightly more time these days, am thinking of finding nice songs I've listened before during my youth . To begin with there is this song that is something like this: " wouldn't it be good to be in your shoes, even it is just for one day...." anyone know? Thank you very much. Regards,