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Hi, as above. Anyone has agencies to recommend? Perhaps also can share your experience? Process? Length? Thanks.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/mobile/singapore/agencies-slam-natas-for/1493872.html The Outbound Travel Fair press conference. (Photo: TODAY) A A+ SINGAPORE: Dozens of travel agencies on Tuesday (Nov 25) lashed out at the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) for its lack of transparency over the usage of proceeds from its mega travel fairs and, among other things, its refusal to open the books, at a press conference attended by representatives of 24 tour agencies. The agencies also charged that the association was exploiting its members by not reducing rental rates for the NATAS fair an agency would need to pay between S$100,000 and S$200,000 to participate in the fair despite declining sales over the years that they attributed partly to the lacklustre publicity for the twice-yearly event. Responding to the charges, a NATAS spokesman said that although the cost of renting exhibition halls has steadily risen over the past three years, the association which has been holding its travel fairs at Singapore Expo has not passed on the increases to the exhibitors. He said NATAS has been in discussion with members and exhibitors about their grievances. But we have to accept that NATAS may be unable to satisfy all its members given the diversity of our membership ... Everyone may have a different opinion on how the fair ought to be run, he said, adding that NATAS members include travel agents, tourism organisations, cruise lines and accommodation providers. Last week, TODAY broke the news that the Big Four travel agencies Chan Brothers Travel, CTC Travel, Dynasty Travel and SA Tours were pulling out of the NATAS fair on Mar 27 to 29 and holding a rival fair at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) on the same dates, and were in talks with other agencies to make the switch. BETTER DEALS FOR CONSUMERS At the press conference held at MBS, it was announced that 24 outbound travel agencies in total including Nam Ho Travel, Farmosa Holidays, MISA Travel, Apple Holidays and New Shan Travel will be crossing over to the new fair, tentatively called the Outbound Travel Fair. In contrast to the NATAS fair which charges a S$4 entrance fee, admission to the rival trade show is free. The agencies which will continue to be NATAS members have formed a working committee to organise the rival fair, which will occupy a floor area that is 70 per cent the size of the NATAS fair next year. Booth rental will be up to 30 per cent cheaper. Excess revenue will be channelled to advertising and promotions or refunded to exhibitors. Cost savings will also be passed onto consumers, who will get better deals, the agencies said. They said their dissatisfaction began in 2010. Despite raising the issues repeatedly, NATAS turned a deaf ear. They also submitted a petition last month, but the requests were not met, which was the last straw, they said. The agencies had petitioned for reduced booth rentals, lowering of admission fees, disallowing overseas operators brought in by tourism boards to conduct sales, greater transparency and having representation on the NATAS fair organising committee. The most recent NATAS fair in August saw about 10 per cent fewer visitors, compared with the fair held in August last year. Sales for several participating agencies this year had also fallen by around 10 to 20 per cent, the agencies said. They added that with customers increasingly making bookings via the Internet, holding a fair that charges an admission fee would further deter prospective customers. NATAS RESPONDS Former NATAS group chief executive Robert Khoo, who stepped down last year, dismissed the agencies claims. Customers are (getting fewer) simply because ... everybody is doing their own fair. So they have already stolen a big chunk of the business before the NATAS fair even starts, he said. Mr Khoo said the admission fee raised from S$3 in 2010 was in place for crowd control. Members had fully supported (the) rationale when NATAS explained it to them many years ago, he said. He added that the income earned from the fair is ploughed back into events for members, who can attend them for free. These include NATAS annual dinner and dance, football and golf tournaments, and seminars. The NATAS spokesman said attendance at its fairs may have reached a saturation point in recent years. It is unrealistic to expect growth year-on-year when consumers buying patterns have changed drastically, he said. On the impact of the pullout, the spokesman said NATAS has a membership base of more than 340 travel agents. It will revamp its fairs and try to draw in new exhibitors. In light of the developments, NATAS will meet its members on Thursday. Still, the agencies boycotting the NATAS fair said they will return to the fold if the association addresses their grievances. Mr Anthony Chan, group managing director of Chan Brothers Travel, said: We are all very busy ... we dont want to spend effort organising travel fairs.

Finally...............they realize it is frustrating and difficult!!!........... [mad] “So can you imagine if you are an ordinary citizen trying to solve such a problem and running around the different agencies? " http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/08/20/govt-setups-agency-to-coordinate-govt-agencies/

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/eas...1241278/1/.html SG wages too low... i agree BEIJING: Job agencies in China say recruiting workers for Singapore has become increasingly difficult over the past five years as the wage gap between the two countries has narrowed. And the fallout from the recent illegal strike by SMRT bus drivers from China is now deterring some from applying to work in Singapore. Unfair and unjust - these are just some of the comments posted by Chinese internet users on Weibo after a former Chinese SMRT bus driver received a six-week jail sentence for taking part in an illegal strike in Singapore. But some also felt that the drivers' behaviour was unreasonable, and called for more to be done to prepare Chinese workers before they go overseas. "For the purpose of work, understand the laws of the country and the related rules, I think that's normal, and necessary." "Before they leave the country, human resource companies should do some training in these areas in China before sending the workers out." Recruiters in China said the majority of Chinese blue-collar workers in Singapore come from Jiangsu, Shandong and Liaoning where there's an abundance of manpower. One agency in Jiangsu said it conducts a preparatory course for Chinese workers moving to Singapore for work. Mr Lin Hai, General Manager of Jiangsu Huaian YunHai International Labour, said: "When they apply for work, I'll introduce Singapore's situation to them, let them understand that the 'Garden City' name is just the general environment. But work-wise, Singapore's efficiency is very high, you can't bring China's standards over, which means you have to do everything quickly." But Mr Lin, whose agency was set up in 2006, said it has become increasingly difficult to recruit Chinese workers for Singapore companies. He said salaries in Singapore are now almost on par with what workers would get if they stay in China. And the latest bus driver incident has deterred some considering Singapore as a work destination. Mr Lin said: "For example, in construction. They can get about 7,000-8,000 RMB each, a contractor can get 10,000 and more. In Singapore, a worker is paid 8,000-9,000 RMB. So if a Chinese construction worker can get this much staying here, it won't be worth it for him to travel far. So they usually won't choose to go to Singapore. Now, if they apply for work, when you mention Singapore, they don't want to go. Unless they have friends or relatives there but those are in the minority. So it's a challenge trying to recruit workers for Singapore." Job agencies said skilled labour workers now prefer to work in Europe, Japan and South Korea over Singapore for work because they get three to five times more for the same position. And with the growth of internet use and social media in China, workers including those in the rural areas are becoming more aware of labour laws and workers' rights, therefore making them more choosy about their workplace destination choices. - CNA/de

Read today papers and it left a bitter after taste in my mouth (not from my Kopi O Kosong). Its so easy to catch 16 agencies but the pump prices (now with masking of discounts, tie up with Credit cards, reward point perks) - with a simple Math calculation, are all the same. Sorry for the Saturday <RANTING>

market is quite bad at the moment hence help a friend to look for job openings.. just wondering if anyone has any friends working wif recuirtment agencies or head hunting companies to recommend? any input is appreciated!

http://goshopjapan.com/forum/share-rant-rave/maids-stuff/

The PM in his National Day rally seems to pin his hopes that more will get hitched and have babies. As a matter of fact, the gov is pouring a lot of money ( your money, as taxpayers ) into dating agencies to 'help his gov with such a national problem'. As such, many enterpreneurs ( or rather opportunist) have set up dating agencies as their 'business model' to cash in on the profitable venture. But the fact is...ppl who approach dating agencies to PAY money to get dates are LOSERS in real life...both for males as well as females....so are those who put up profiles of themselves ( for free or otherwise) listing their need to get hitched on internet sites. Your views?

if anyone have a good maid agency or a good transfer maid to recommend pls email me at [email protected] or PM me. Thanks!