Loophole in the S-Pass System exploited!

[MaxRiley]

MP Zainal Sapari raised the issue that there's a loophole in the S-Pass system. We need more MPs like him who strongly supports our local labour force! Read the article below.

Thanks to him pointing this out, MOM is now looking into it.

http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/parliament-mom-look-potential-loophole-keeps-s-pass-basi

Parliament: MOM to look into potential loophole that keeps S Pass basic pay low

SINGAPORE - The Manpower Ministry will look into a potential loophole that allows employers to depress the basic wages of skilled foreign workers, hence making them "cheaper" than Singaporean hires, said Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin in Parliament on Tuesday.

He was responding to Mr Zainal Sapari (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), who had asked if last month's increase in S Pass qualifying salary from $2,000 to $2,200 could be met via allowances and not just basic salary. Mr Tan confirmed that this could be done via basic salary or fixed allowances, as long as it was a "fixed quantum that does not vary from month to month".

Given that this was allowed, Mr Zainal worried that employers could just increase their foreign workers' allowances but keep basic pay low. Low basic pay would mean a lower overtime rate and lower bonus payments, making these foreign workers relatively cheaper than local hires, he added. He called on the Government to plug this loophole.

Mr Tan said he was happy to look into the specifics of this situation. "I think this is something that we can take a look to see whether it's a loophole that is exploited on a consistent basis and we will explore that further."

 

[Runifyouhaveto]

Work permit levy should be dropped - there are some jobs that locals are less keen.
S-pass levy should be increased and higher than work-permit levy to protect local PMETs.

 

[Cestbon]

To closed the loophole all maid/work permit/S pass should pay the same levy.

 

[Hans168]

paid so much moneyn still din get it right!
pay back......... we get an Ah Neh to do you job for $10000 per year

 

[dr.wailing]

S-pass levy should be increased and higher than work-permit levy to protect local PMETs.

Tell me how to protect local PMETs when the AEC comes into effect next year?

 

[hofmann]

the biggest loophole is that employers can easily declare a higher salary and get away with it.

S pass holders should also be made to sign a salary declaration in the S pass applications.

 

[winnipegjets]

Work permit levy should be dropped - there are some jobs that locals are less keen.
S-pass levy should be increased and higher than work-permit levy to protect local PMETs.

Pay living wages and locals will take the jobs. Foreigners don't have sinkee's cost of living ...that's why they will work for dirt pay.

 

[palden]

Co driver sleeping?

MP Zainal Sapari raised the issue that there's a loophole in the S-Pass system. We need more MPs like him who strongly supports our local labour force! Read the article below.

Thanks to him pointing this out, MOM is now looking into it.

http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/parliament-mom-look-potential-loophole-keeps-s-pass-basi

Parliament: MOM to look into potential loophole that keeps S Pass basic pay low

SINGAPORE - The Manpower Ministry will look into a potential loophole that allows employers to depress the basic wages of skilled foreign workers, hence making them "cheaper" than Singaporean hires, said Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin in Parliament on Tuesday.

He was responding to Mr Zainal Sapari (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), who had asked if last month's increase in S Pass qualifying salary from $2,000 to $2,200 could be met via allowances and not just basic salary. Mr Tan confirmed that this could be done via basic salary or fixed allowances, as long as it was a "fixed quantum that does not vary from month to month".

Given that this was allowed, Mr Zainal worried that employers could just increase their foreign workers' allowances but keep basic pay low. Low basic pay would mean a lower overtime rate and lower bonus payments, making these foreign workers relatively cheaper than local hires, he added. He called on the Government to plug this loophole.

Mr Tan said he was happy to look into the specifics of this situation. "I think this is something that we can take a look to see whether it's a loophole that is exploited on a consistent basis and we will explore that further."

 

[chootchiew]

The original intention of issuing S pass and all the fucking passes is to get cheap labour . No amount of discussion or brain storming can solve this problem.