Admin
25-08-2006, 01:45 AM
Personalised Employment Pass from January to attract and retain foreign talent
By Farah Abdul Rahim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 24 August 2006 1553 hrs
A new scheme has been announced to help Singapore better attract and retain global talent.
From January next year, foreigners who have been working here for a few years and earn at least $30,000 a year will be eligible for a new Personalised Employment Pass (PEP).
The Manpower Ministry says with the new pass, the foreign talent will no longer be tied to an employer.
It would be issued based on the workers' own merits and they do not need to reapply for a new one when they change jobs.
The pass, which is valid for 5 years, allows them to remain unemployed for six months in between jobs.
But the pass is not renewable, which means that when the 5-year period is up, the pass-holder can then decide whether to take up permanent residency in Singapore or revert back to an employment pass linked to the employer.
Current P1, P2 and Q1 employment pass holders who meet the criteria can apply for the new pass.
For other foreign workers who are not eligible, the current employment pass will remain.
P-Pass holders who have been working in Singapore for at least two years and Q1 holders with five years' experience qualify for the PEP.
Foreign graduates from local educational institutions who have worked in Singapore for two years will also be eligible.
The Manpower Ministry says it will be flexible in considering individual cases that do not meet the minimum criteria but merit a PEP.
The Ministry says the change will help grow the overall economic pie, create more jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans.
Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have similar schemes to attract foreign talent.
Employers welcomed it as a beneficial move for both workers and companies.
Koh Juan Kiat, Executive Director of Singapore National Employers Federation, said: "It will attract more foreigners to consider taking up positions in Singapore. The pool of foreign talent is going to increase, which means employers have bigger choice of workers here in Singapore. In the short term, some employers have expressed concern about possible increased turnover among these employment pass holders.
"(With the change), there is more certainty that they can retain their employment pass holders in Singapore. There's also less administrative hassle in reapplying and of course, the costs in reapplying, and the uncertainty of whether the application will be approved. So this in fact provides more certainty for employer and employment pass holder."
Employers say the PEP move will not affect wages, which will continue to be market-driven.
Malaysian sisters Wanda and Yvonne Tan have been working in Singapore on employment passes for some two years now.
"Having the personalised pass does make me feel more appreciated and more welcome by the government. So it does make me think more about staying longer in the country, more long-term," said Yvonne Tan.
More information on the new PEP scheme is available on the Manpower Ministry's website at http://www.mom.gov.sg.
- CNA/ir
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/226571/1/.html
By Farah Abdul Rahim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 24 August 2006 1553 hrs
A new scheme has been announced to help Singapore better attract and retain global talent.
From January next year, foreigners who have been working here for a few years and earn at least $30,000 a year will be eligible for a new Personalised Employment Pass (PEP).
The Manpower Ministry says with the new pass, the foreign talent will no longer be tied to an employer.
It would be issued based on the workers' own merits and they do not need to reapply for a new one when they change jobs.
The pass, which is valid for 5 years, allows them to remain unemployed for six months in between jobs.
But the pass is not renewable, which means that when the 5-year period is up, the pass-holder can then decide whether to take up permanent residency in Singapore or revert back to an employment pass linked to the employer.
Current P1, P2 and Q1 employment pass holders who meet the criteria can apply for the new pass.
For other foreign workers who are not eligible, the current employment pass will remain.
P-Pass holders who have been working in Singapore for at least two years and Q1 holders with five years' experience qualify for the PEP.
Foreign graduates from local educational institutions who have worked in Singapore for two years will also be eligible.
The Manpower Ministry says it will be flexible in considering individual cases that do not meet the minimum criteria but merit a PEP.
The Ministry says the change will help grow the overall economic pie, create more jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans.
Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have similar schemes to attract foreign talent.
Employers welcomed it as a beneficial move for both workers and companies.
Koh Juan Kiat, Executive Director of Singapore National Employers Federation, said: "It will attract more foreigners to consider taking up positions in Singapore. The pool of foreign talent is going to increase, which means employers have bigger choice of workers here in Singapore. In the short term, some employers have expressed concern about possible increased turnover among these employment pass holders.
"(With the change), there is more certainty that they can retain their employment pass holders in Singapore. There's also less administrative hassle in reapplying and of course, the costs in reapplying, and the uncertainty of whether the application will be approved. So this in fact provides more certainty for employer and employment pass holder."
Employers say the PEP move will not affect wages, which will continue to be market-driven.
Malaysian sisters Wanda and Yvonne Tan have been working in Singapore on employment passes for some two years now.
"Having the personalised pass does make me feel more appreciated and more welcome by the government. So it does make me think more about staying longer in the country, more long-term," said Yvonne Tan.
More information on the new PEP scheme is available on the Manpower Ministry's website at http://www.mom.gov.sg.
- CNA/ir
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/226571/1/.html