Search the Community

http://www.business-standard.com/article/e...21700123_1.html Nayanima Basu | New Delhi February 17, 2013 Last Updated at 12:17 IST Govt decries CECA violation by Singapore The country has imposed restrictions on inflow of foreign workers, which is going to affect Indians working there Those of you planning to make it big in Singapore might be in for a setback. Singapore recently made certain changes to its Employment Pass Framework law to reduce inflow of foreign workers significantly to create more job opportunities for local professionals. The move is expected to impact even those Indians working there at present across various sectors. The amendments, made on a proposal by its Ministry of Manpower, has armed the Singapore government to bring down the foreign share of the total workforce to around one-third while encouraging employers to invest in productivity in return for incentives in the form of tax breaks. The move came as a recent Singapore's policy paper predicted that its population would grow by 30 per cent to 6.9 million by 2030, with immigrants making up nearly half that figure. The paper led to demonstrations in Singapore yesterday, a rare happening in the country, in protest against rise in immigrants. The step has irked India as the new law does not give India a preferential treatment incorporated in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CECA) between the two countries, operational since 2005. This stance by the Singapore Government is expected to affect Indians working as middle-level managers, executives and technicians. Speculations are rife that India might take up the issue with World Trade Organization

Have been watching documentries on tv how various foreign celebs etc visited the diasaster towns and gave their words of encouragements / tangible helps etc to the victims and their families. Some of the foreigners are renowned musicians etc. Their priority seems to be trying to offer whatever helps they could. Just watched one documentry last nite showing a celeb tv host from china doing the same visit but with a difference: when asked why he made the visit, his answer: "To check if the place is still safe for tourist from mainland to visit"!!!! .... is this his priority?