Foreign Workers in demand

COMPANIES that rely on foreign workers want the Government to let them hire more of them, according to a survey.

The call is particularly intense from contractors and manufacturers, who feel the quota should be adjusted for specific sectors. Foreign workers form up to 70 per cent of the workforce in these two sectors.

Overall, almost half of the businesses surveyed are unhappy with the foreign worker quota policy.

They want it raised in order for them to meet orders, which have been increasing in the past few months as Singapore's economy claws its way out of the red.

But such a move could hurt Singapore's competitive edge, said economics professor Davin Chor from Singapore Management University.

'Long-run growth depends on the capacity of our economy to consistently improve on our productivity and the way we tap into cutting-edge technologies,' he said.

*From The Strait Times- 9th December 2009

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Two- thirds PR application successful

An average of 46,300 people are granted Singaporean permanent resident (PR) status every year for the past eight years, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Wong Kan Seng said in Parliament today.

In his reply to Mr Chiam See Tong's question about the number of PR applications received, granted and PR statuses renounced, Mr Wong said that PR applications have been increasing steadily in recent years.

From 2000 to 2008, an average of 74,500 applications for permanent residency were submitted by foreigners each year. Of these, an average of 46,300 applications were successful.


An average of 2,200 also renounced their PR status each year during the same period.

Mr Wong said that the increase in number of people granted PR was due to two factors, namely a strong economy and the need to augment Singapore's population.

A booming economy growth of 6 per cent to 8 percent between 2004 and 2007 meant that Singapore required more foreigners to work here. Most did not intend to stay long term, but "a good many" are well-qualified, skilled personnel who decided to stay longer and applied for PR.

Singapore's low fertility rate also meant that the country would age rapidly and start to decline by 2020 if the country closes its doors to foreigners. This would increase the burden of Singaporeans and the country's competitiveness would decrease.

Mr Wong also said that the Government recognizes that Singaporeans feel anxious about the large inflow of foreigners in recent years.

Singaporeans should not think that all foreigners here are PRs, he said. A large portion of foreigners are here on short-term passes, with 1,253,000 non-residents in Singapore as compared to 533,000 PRs.

While Singapore needs the continuing inflow of immigrants into the country, Mr Wong said that the government is mindful of the concerns of Singaporeans.

***Mon, Nov 23, 2009 AsiaOne

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Stricter rules for Entre Pass get expats worked up.

The latest news for foreigners who want to set up a business in Singapore was revised by Ministry of Manpower (MOM) recently: "foreigners who want to set up businesses in Singapore are causing jitters among some expatriates"

"The amendments to the EntrePass scheme, made at the end of September, have made it more rigorous for new applicants, but those already on it fear they too will be asked to meet the new, higher standards. Previously, applicants for the pass had to submit a business plan and put down a $3,000 bankers guarantee or get a Singaporean sponsor.

Now, new applicants also have to:

1. Register their company as a private limited-concern

2. Hold a share of at least 30 per cent in the company; and

3. Have at least $50,000 in paid up capital

There are also specific guidelines to ensure that the businesses they set up create employment opportunity for Singaporeans. When they first renew the permits- each permit is valid for a maximum of two year- the business owners will have to show that they employ at least 2 Singaporeans and have total business spending of at least S$100,000 over the past year.

At subsequent renewals, they have to employ at least four Singaporeans and have total business spending of at least S$150,000 over the past year.

The MOM, which administers the scheme, said the changes are a way of ensuring that Singaporeans workers benefit from enterprises set up here. Said a spokeman: "A key characteristic of the new EntrePass framework is the requirement for all companies set up by EntrePass holders to employ locals".

Asked if the change is due to businesses under the old EntrePass not giving jobs to Singaporeans, the ministry said the old framework also considered employment creation, but the new framework has put down mandatory business requirements.

MOM receives about 3,000 EntrePass applicants a year, of which about half are approved. Those under the old framework- about 1, 700- have been given a choice to stay on it or transit to new requirements.

Asked if those renewing their passes under the old framework will also be subjected to the more rigorous assessment, the MOM would only say it is on case by case basis"

***According to ANg Yiying, The Straits Times on 4th November 2009.

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Singapore- a top choice for migrants

Singapore is a top immigration hot spot, according to a global survey conducted by Gallup. If it were to take in all adults who wish to settle in the country, its adult population of 3.6 million would jump to 13 million, said the survey released this week.

Gallup arrived at this figure by using what it called the Potential Net Migration Index (PNMI). The index is the estimated number of adults who wish to leave a country permanently subtracted from the estimated number who wish to immigrate to the country, as a proportion of the total adult population. The higher a positive PNMI value, the greater the potential of net population gain, the proportional to the population size.

Singapore emerged tops with the highest PNMI value of 260 per cent, followed by Saudi Arabia (180 per cent), New Zealand (175 per cent), Canada (170 per cent) and Australia (145 per cent) *** photo

Singapore's ranking in the PNMI may not be entirely surprising given its relatively small population size and strong and stable economy, analysts said. According to the United Nations' 2009 Human Development Report, Singapore is already a popular immigration destination. It ranked No.10 in the world in terms of the share of immigrants as part of total population, at 35 per cent.

The UN report also showed that Singapore had a relatively low emigration rate of 6.3 per cent. "If most of those who say they want to come here are mostly economic migrants from other Asian countries, I won't be surprised because Singapore's economy is doing quite well relatively, " Dr Chua Beng Huat, a sociology professor at the National University of Singapore, told The Straits Times when asked to comment on the Gallup survey findings.

**By Lin ZhaoWei from The Straits Time on Thursday, November 5 2009.

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Singaporean and Singapore PRs: What are the differences???

There have been many articles, discussions, etc...talking about benefits of being Singaporean and Singapore PR? So what are the differences actually?
According to Zakir Hussain in The Straits Time on 24th October, 2009:

"If you are a Singapore citizen, you have the right to vote, visit 150 countries without a visa on your red passport, and receive a slew of tax reliefs and a cornucopia of subsidies. If you are so inclined, you can form a political party, launch a tirade and stage a protest at Speakers' Corner on most matters- but race and religion are off-limits. Indeed, from the cradle- or from the point you are given a pink IC- to the sick bed, you have a leg up over permanent residents (PRs) and foreigners working or living here.

Should you have the misfortune of becoming destitute or unable to support yourself, you would qualify for public assistance, Com-Care aid, a rental flat and hand-outs to help pay your utility bills and conservancy charges. And if you fall ill, you can bank on Medi-fund to pay for your hospital bills. "

In addition, National Population Secretariat (NPS) said: "Citizenship is a birthright for legitimate children of Singapore citizen parents. As such, citizen enjoy more rights and benefits than PRs".

However, many Singaporean are still complaining about being marginalised by the influx of new arrivals and becoming strangers in their own country. They insist saying there is no difference between Singaporean and Singapore PRs. So what is the truth?

To all these concerns, P.M Lee Hsien Loong told 1, 5000 Nanyang Technological University student in last month that there will be a sharper differentiation in treating Singaporean and Singapore PRs "to reflect the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship"....

Look at the table below to see what are the differences between Singaporean and Singapore PRs.




So overall, being Singaporeans, you will have 3 kinds of rights.

1. Civil rights as such: "the right to speak freely at Speakers' Corner", said Dr. Tan. The right to own property, to freedom of religion and to equality before the law.

2. Political rights such as the right to vote and to stand for office. According to public law expert Kevin Tan "If you say you are a citizen, the most blatant right is the right to vote, but because of the GRC system, there are a large number of Singaporeans who have never voted in their life. As a result, they do not feel they are citizens in the political sense"

3. Social rights such as the right to education, housing and protection against poverty.

But then, another question is raising up: "What are the benefits for Singapore PRs?" We gotta look back at the pictures above to compare about benefits for Singapore PRs vs. foreigners. There are some benefits for Singapore PRs too. "PRs must continue to feel they have a place here, as they would otherwise leave for more welcoming shores, to Singapore's loss. But citizenship has to also appeal to them, just as it has to mean more to those born-and-bred here, beyond the bread-and-butter concerns and monetary advantages.

Prof. Straughan sums it up: "Being Singaporean means membership in a sovereign state that is socially, politically and economically stable and secure, where people from different races can live together in harmony, and where our respective religions can be practised openly. More importantly, being Singaporean also means we can rely on a government that is free from corruption and where national policies are sensible and apt."

"If we continue to advance Singapore as a city state where you can raise your family in a wholesome, vibrant city governed by efficient and honest policymakers, with a world-class education and health-care system, and where basic needs of citizens are met, I think that would elevate the prestige of Singapore citizenship"

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Important: PR and National Service

Under the Enlistment Act, all male Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are liable to register for National Service (NS) upon reaching 16½ years old. They are required to serve 2 years of full-time NS at 18 years old, followed by 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service per year till the age of 50 years (for officers) or 40 years (for other ranks).

Main applicants who are granted PR status under the first generation Professionals/Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers (PTS) Scheme and the Investor Scheme are exempted from NS. Male children who are granted PR status under their parents' sponsorship are liable for NS under the Enlistment Act.

All NS-liable males aged 13 years old and above, are required to obtain an Exit Permit (EP) when traveling overseas for 3 months or more.

NS-liable PRs are expected to serve NS. Renouncing or losing one's PR status without serving or completing full-time NS would have an adverse impact on any immediate or future applications to work or study in Singapore, or for Singapore citizenship or PR status.

Males who are granted Singapore PR, and who were previously Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents, are liable to be called up for NS regardless of the type of PR status they have been granted. For further inquiries, please write to:

Central Manpower Base
CMPB Podium
3, Depot Road
Singapore 109680
Tel : 1800-3676767 (local)
65-65676767 (overseas)

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Why oversea clients trust us?

Have been in the immigration and PR application services for about 12 years, we have done so many applications for all clients from China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, etc....Each of them have different purposes and situations why they choose Singapore to settle down. We understand that we are not perfect yet but we are trying our best to understand fully our clients needs and wants, to assist them til the end of their applications.

So far, below are some feedbacks from our previous clients that we would like to share with you about: What we are doing? Why the clients from other countries trust us?, etc:

Applicants from Indonesia

From Fredy to us!

From Donny Gunawan!

From Cameron!

From Xuan Li (Australia):

From Lester (Philippines)


Applicant from Indian
1. How did you know about our company?
Through your web side
2. How many companies have you contacted before regarding PR application?
Three company
3. What made you choose us?
you are very friendly to customer, when we are dealing with you we really feel that that we are dealing with our family member
4. There are many cheating cases over the internet before, was you afraid when u decided to make a payment to us? Why you trusted us?
No, a person who want to do business can not think about cheating
5. During the processing time, was there any problem you encountered that made you not happy about?
No
6. Do you think anything that Yen Yang management needs to improve a lot more?
some times you should call your customer, You should not be worried about telephone bill

Thanks

Rajesh P. Maradia

We deeply appreciate all the constructive comments from all of our applicants and wish to hear a lot more in order for us to improve our service better and better. We believe ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS, look at our application files and records we have here:


Company license and application files. With all these proofs above, you can put your Faith completely to us because WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING, WE ARE DOING !!!

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