MOM takes action against 47 firms & investigating 240 others for possibly favouring foreign job applicants over S'poreans

[Volvobrick]

58 minutes ago, Yewheng said:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/job-hiring-practices-discrimination-watchlist-pmet-foreigners-12993100

Hmm.. Looks like government for don't know what reason not going to touch ceca.. Maybe it's because of agreement already set and can't change it.. So go in another way to tackle.. Which is to look at individual companies hiring process. If there is clear sign that this particular companies are hiring the same race more then what is the industrial standard and had not tried all means to go and hire other races.. Then government step in. So it is as good as capping the population of Indian coming in to Singapore workforce relative to other races. It may take time.. If this trend continue, perhaps in 5 yrs time we might see more locals and other races of people working at Changi business park instead of now loopsided to majority are Indian nationality. 

They negotiated and signed the See Kar, touting so much economic benefits it would bring to locals (I can see a lot of PHVs will be needed to transport them, and of course those with second or more properties to rent out), to u-turn will be a major loss of face. Only when they lose 2/3 majority of the seats then there is any possibility of tearing up the See Kar agreement. 

Edited August 6, 2020 by Volvobrick

[Hyde333]

51 minutes ago, Enye said:

i don’t understand why people are rambling on about quotas 

ep got no quota requirements one unlike work pass or s pass

companies only need to fulfill the ep requirements and bring in the fts without looking at local to foreigner ratio.

and btw pr is considered as local if we are looking at the ratio hor 

so technically a company can be staffed with prs, eps and s pass or work pass without even employing a single singaporean 

even local managing director registered with acra also can be a pr 

😱😬

 

Now even recruiters are PRs! How to stop Singaporeans from perishing?

[Volvobrick]

17 minutes ago, yishunite said:

The worst was one time bought a frozen "burger"... it was more chicken than beef with unknown ratio to flour.... zzzz

I came across the same thing - beef burger with mostly Chicken meat. Or fruit juice with mostly syrup. SFA has very lax labeling regulations. Packaging and adverts can claim all sort of unbelievable nonsense like improving IQ. Even China is stricter. They cannot claim something that is not scientifically proven in the adverts or packaging. 

[Ct3833]

1 hour ago, Weez911 said:

"The manpower ministry urged the public to report specific instances of discriminatory behaviour, saying that the identity of whistleblowers will be kept confidential."

Do your part.

We have been but the FT pheromone continues.

Are they  telling us that they do  not know what they have approved ? Does anyone here believe that they have no records of the employees of each company? Then how would IRAS go after the tax of a company and individual?   If no records, how would  MOM collect levies of  foreign  workers?  

 

Edited August 6, 2020 by Ct3833

[CYHew]

29 minutes ago, Ct3833 said:

We have been but the FT pheromone continues.

Are they  telling us that they do  not know what they have approved ? Does anyone here believe that they have no records of the employees of each company? Then how would IRAS go after the tax of a company and individual?   If no records, how would  MOM collect levies of  foreign  workers?  

 

when nobody complains, then action not warranted. Standing SOP!

[ToyotaShuttle]

1 hour ago, Weez911 said:

"The manpower ministry urged the public to report specific instances of discriminatory behaviour, saying that the identity of whistleblowers will be kept confidential."

Do your part.

What is discriminary behavior tho? Prioritize Singaporeans ahead of foreigners can also be said to be discriminatory against foreigners.

In any case, they can always just claim to do a global search and then come back saying their initial FT candidate is the best. Worked for SMRT so should work for others too?

1 hour ago, Enye said:

i don’t understand why people are rambling on about quotas 

ep got no quota requirements one unlike work pass or s pass

companies only need to fulfill the ep requirements and bring in the fts without looking at local to foreigner ratio.

and btw pr is considered as local if we are looking at the ratio hor 

so technically a company can be staffed with prs, eps and s pass or work pass without even employing a single singaporean 

even local managing director registered with acra also can be a pr 

😱😬

 

Really? How can PR be considered local? What is the logic there?

[Wind30]

2 hours ago, Ct3833 said:

Go walk around MBFC, Fusionopolis, Changi business park and see the FT to singaporean ratio ,one will  easily see the kind of ratio whether it is 1 is to 3 or the other way round, or maybe even higher. If one has a friend working in a MNC, ask him what kind of ratio he is seeing in his office to be convinced  what MOM have said is just  hot air balloons. If they had done something about it so many years ago, the FT issues wouldn't  have been a GE discussion. In addition, after so many years of  so call watch list,  today they continue to expand their watch list ? Did they ask themselves is their watch list approach effective or working at all ? The 39+% voters can't be so blind. 

 

I am just correcting your post about the watchlist being "just watching". There are serious implications to being on the watchlist. Funny thing is the watchlist is not public... 

I work in MNCs all my life, and now in CBP... no need to ask...

[Ct3833]

18 minutes ago, Wind30 said:

 

I am just correcting your post about the watchlist being "just watching". There are serious implications to being on the watchlist. Funny thing is the watchlist is not public... 

I work in MNCs all my life, and now in CBP... no need to ask...

Serious? Serious implication? I have been in a fortune 500 MNC in  CBP for nearly 15years, I saw a very different picture. The name Chennai business park didnt happen by accident.  Some few years back I joined another different MNC which is no longer in CBP, I am still seeing the same thing untill recently I saw some tightening in HR guidlines.  I trust my own eyes. 

Edited August 6, 2020 by Ct3833

[ToyotaShuttle]

21 minutes ago, yishunite said:

Wait is this the same ToyotaShuttle that was telling us to stop complaining b4 election? Ur IB contract finish and kena retrench? 🤣

I don't recall saying to stop complaining. I said PAP has been doing a good job, will win and PAP won.

Now elections are over. Time to get our government to continue improving and do a better job.

About my job: Don't think I will be retrenched any time soon. Should be quite stable but bonus will be affected.

Edited August 6, 2020 by ToyotaShuttle

[Wind30]

Just now, Ct3833 said:

Serious? Serious implication? I have been in a fortune 500 MNC in  CBP for nearly 15years, I saw a very different picture. The name Chennai business park didnt happen by accident.  Some few years back I joined another different MNC which is no longer in CBP, I am still seeing the same thing.  I trust my own eyes. 

.... sigh... the question are those companies in CBP in the watchlist? 

I don't think so because you can't hire EP if you are on the watchlist for more than 6 months. Is that is not a serious implication, I don't know what is...

[Hyde333]

1 hour ago, Ct3833 said:

We have been but the FT pheromone continues.

Are they  telling us that they do  not know what they have approved ? Does anyone here believe that they have no records of the employees of each company? Then how would IRAS go after the tax of a company and individual?   If no records, how would  MOM collect levies of  foreign  workers?  

 

Totally BS! I did my part 5 years ago but those companies are still not employing more than 5% Singaporeans in total till today! Only some naive people will chose to believe in them!

[Ct3833]

9 minutes ago, Wind30 said:

.... sigh... the question are those companies in CBP in the watchlist? 

I don't think so because you can't hire EP if you are on the watchlist for more than 6 months. Is that is not a serious implication, I don't know what is...

Why should a company  be in a watch list in the first place ? MOM just have to cap the quota, they have no records of those companies  foreign hiring ?

MOM and  MTI are very afraid of those big companies, especially those that have OHQ here，they will tell MTI and MOM they will move out,  everything also can be done. 

One day I will go CBP to do a sample count again and see if the ratio of people  walking on the street has changed . I shall pray.

[13177]

3 hours ago, Ct3833 said:

Precisely, they are the one who approve EP, after approving, they tell those  employers , "oh sorry now you are in my watch list because   you have exceeded the quota !" They approved permits blindly ?  Then next they try to counter react again? It is not just one or two companies,  it is in the number of thousands every year, at least ask themselves please , has it been working ?  What has gone wrong ? And my concern is this may just be  the tip of the iceberg.

Ya lo, i still dont know how MOM approve all the work pasess? Simply from top up to down, whole MOM is useless.

[ToyotaShuttle]

10 minutes ago, Ct3833 said:

Why should a company  be in a watch list in the first place ? MOM just have to cap the quota, they have no records of those companies  foreign hiring ?

MOM and  MTI are very afraid of those big companies, especially those that have OHQ here，they will tell MTI and MOM they will move out,  everything also can be done. 

One day I will go CBP to do a sample count again and see if the ratio of people  walking on the street has changed . I shall pray.

But don't you think that is a legitimate fear? If MNCs are threatening to move out of SG because you won't let them hire who they want to? What bargaining power do we have and can we call their bluff?

Is low tax sufficient to attract these companies?

 

[Wind30]

15 minutes ago, Ct3833 said:

Why should a company  be in a watch list in the first place ? MOM just have to cap the quota, they have no records of those companies  foreign hiring ?

MOM and  MTI are very afraid of those big companies, especially those that have OHQ here，they will tell MTI and MOM they will move out,  everything also can be done. 

One day I will go CBP to do a sample count again and see if the ratio of people  walking on the street has changed . I shall pray.

honestly, I am not sure if I should be bothered to try to convince you...

You think Singapore is big shot? If those big companies move out what happens? It is not just about jobs, those expats spend their money living in Singapore, from Childcare, rental, F&B. They pay their similar income taxes but receive far less benefits than citizens.

I really feel this anti-FT sentiment will drive singapore to the ground... It is a bit like UK leaving EU. UK is far bigger than singapore so maybe they have a chance. 

I am pretty sure Singapore won't stand a chance if the people are not smart enough to realise we need FT, and not just a few...

Edited August 6, 2020 by Wind30

[CYHew]

3 minutes ago, Wind30 said:

honestly, I am not sure if I should be bothered to try to convince you...

You think Singapore is big shot? If those big companies move out what happens? It is not just about jobs, those expats spend their money living in Singapore, from Childcare, rental, F&B. They pay their similar income taxes but receive far less benefits than citizens.

I really feel this anti-FT sentiment will drive singapore to the ground... It is a bit like UK leaving EU. UK is far bigger than singapore so maybe they have a chance. 

I am pretty sure Singapore won't stand a chance if the people are not smart enough to realise we need FT, and not just a few...

The issue is not to discriminate but to ensure these companies do not abuse the system, which unfortunately most MNCs exhibit tendencies to circumvent local laws and in some instances quite blatantly disregard.

[Ct3833]

33 minutes ago, ToyotaShuttle said:

But don't you think that is a legitimate fear? If MNCs are threatening to move out of SG because you won't let them hire who they want to? What bargaining power do we have and can we call their bluff?

Is low tax sufficient to attract these companies?

 

Sure, at least stick to the 1/3 rule, some exceptions allow, but the way I look at it, maybe every other companies are given exceptions,  if not a free for all market. Even a white shirt  senior minister  commented this matter before,  we know who.

[Sdf4786k]

9 hours ago, Icedbs said:

Let's just say that with today's data science capability and the huge datasets that MOM has, weeding out firms with lots of foreign PMETs  should be easy.

It is just a question of whether they want to look into it or not.

this was in the article.

Action taken against 47 employers

A total of 47 employers have also been placed on the FCF Watchlist, as their workplace profiles "raise concerns, when compared to industry peers", and indicated possible discriminatory hiring practices.

For example, MOM said that "a number" of these 47 employers were placed on the Watchlist as they had "exceptionally high shares of foreign PMETs compared to their industry peers".

At 18 of the firms, foreigners comprised more than half the PMET workforce, which MOM said was "significantly higher compared to their industry peers".

MOM also said that 30 of the firms also had a high concentration of PMETs from single nationalities, highlighting the examples of a wealth management firm where "almost three-quarters" of their PMETs were of the same nationality, and a bank where foreigners of the same nationality made up "almost two-thirds" of the PMETs.

These 30 firms were from the Financial Services and Professional Services sectors.

MOM said that the largest of the 47 firms employed close to 2,000 PMETs, though the others comprised a mix of large and smaller firms.

Among the list were banks and fund managers, as well as management consulting firms, and firms providing project management and engineering services.

Implications of being put on FCF Watchlist

Employers that are put on the FCF Watchlist are subject to greater scrutiny by MOM.

Their EP applications are closely watched.

The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) will also engage the employers to put in place fair hiring practices.

Employers on the FCF Watchlist that are "recalcitrant or uncooperative in improving their hiring practices" will have their work pass privileges cut back.

MOM said that more than 4,800 Singaporean PMETs have been hired by employers on the FCF Watchlist since 2016, when it was introduced by MOM.

Over the same time period, more than 1,200 employers have been scrutinised by MOM and 3,200 EP applications have been rejected, withheld, or withdrawn.

Employers found to be unfamiliar with skillsets of local jobseekers

MOM said that 190 employers from the Financial Services and Professional Services sectors have been placed on the FCF Watchlist since 2016.

These employers were often found to be unfamiliar with the skillsets of local jobseekers, as well as the government measures to help local workers attain the required skills, MOM said.

MOM highlighted that some of the 190 firms had "claimed that they were unable to find local workers with the required expertise or experience, including for more technical roles such as Senior Software Engineers and UX Designers".

However, MOM said that these firms "had not cast their net wide enough, such as by tapping on Professional Conversion Programmes".

Others had assumed that local workers lacked global exposure and would not be able to function effectively across multiple countries, for roles requiring market-specific knowledge, such as a Professional Services employer which acted for international clients.

However, MOM said that the employer widened its pool of suitable candidates after considering locals who had experience in the relevant markets.

"Most employers reviewed their hiring practices to give local jobseekers a fair chance" after TAFEP's intervention, MOM said, adding that employers were "able to hire local employees to meet their manpower needs".

MOM will be "extra vigilant" in "these challenging times"

MOM said that it would be "extra vigilant" in "these challenging times", to prevent unfair hiring and to ensure fair treatment for local jobseekers.

MOM "does not tolerate unfair hiring practices", it said, highlighting that employers that breached fair hiring requirements will be barred from hiring or renewing foreign workers for up to two years.

Employers may also face prosecution if they made false declarations on fair consideration, MOM said.

Members of the public can submit confidential reports instances of discriminatory behaviour at TAFEP's website.

********

If MOM were to reevaluate the way it penalized the firms using demerit points instead of other form of financial punitive measures, those that are not caught will continue or even switch the hiring landscape to look at loopholes to systematicly remove those singaporean from the hiring.

As all of us know, contracts hiring is like snakehead of resources in the 60s and 70s but in a new form.

Using demerit points is like telling them ,its like kindergarten.

I suppose if this situation dont change, the next 5 years will see interesting reinvention of the hiring landscape. And those that are jobless is not just a stats of job lost, its an entire life and family affected.  

"bank where foreigners of the same nationality made up "almost two-thirds" of the PMETs"

isn't this what all MCF has been saying for multiple years like dry clutch? Now then caught ?

here is an article before covid 19

https://www.onlinecitizenasia.com/2020/03/04/josephine-teo-companies-under-fcf-watchlist-hired-more-than-4400-singaporeans-last-4-years/

During the Parliamentary debate yesterday (3 Mar), Manpower Minister Josephine Teo told Parliament that about 1,000 firms have been put on the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) Watchlist presently.

Since the list was introduced in 2016 four years ago, firms that were placed on the list have hired more than 4,400 Singaporean PMETs, she noted.

“Our objective is not just to penalise errant employers. We want them to improve,” she said.

There is, however, no mention as to how long were the Singaporeans PMETs hired and whether they are still being hired.

Under the FCF, employers that do not consider hiring Singaporeans fairly will be barred from hiring new foreign professionals or renewing existing ones for a minimum of 12 months, up to a maximum of 24 months. Employers and key personnel who make false declarations on fair consideration will also be prosecuted.

To date since the list was introduced, a total of 3,000 Employment Pass (EP) applications have been rejected or withheld by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), or withdrawn by employers, she added.

The salary criteria for hiring foreigners on an EP will also be raised. From 1 May, the minimum monthly salary for foreign professionals to qualify for an EP will go up from $3,600 to $3,900. “This increase is in line with improving wages of fresh graduates of local autonomous universities,” she pointed out.

According to the latest joint graduate employment survey published last Friday (28 Feb), the median gross monthly salary among fresh graduates in full-time permanent employment was $3,600 last year. So, the new minimum EP salary requirement of $3,900 is only about 8% higher than the median fresh graduate salary.

Ms Teo further announced that MOM will be stepping up measures to ensure fair hiring consideration in the workplace. Under the FCF, companies are required to advertise openings on the national Jobs Bank to give locals a chance to be considered first before they can submit their EP applications for foreign applicants.

This is to ensure fair hiring and guard against job openings being restricted to “closed circles of friends”, she said.

From 1 May, MOM will expand the advertising requirement to include positions paying up to $20,000 from the current $15,000. Job positions with salaries of $15,000 and above are currently exempted from the FCF job advertising requirement for hiring foreigners.

Jobs Bank a “wayang”?

Still, many netizens have commented that the Jobs Bank, supposedly set up by the government to encourage the hiring of more locals, is useless.

For example, a quick check on a forum frequented by foreign expats shows some companies are just putting up job advertisements on Jobs Bank for “procedural” purpose. They have no intention of hiring any locals since they already have a foreign candidate in mind:

Edited August 6, 2020 by Sdf4786k