Firms must try to hire S'poreans before trying for foreigners

[wirehtc]

Firms must try to hire S'poreans before trying for foreigners
Posted on Sep 23, 2013 12:44 PM Updated: Sep 23, 2013 12:45 PM
By Toh Yong Chuan

From August next year, firms that want to hire foreign professionals must prove that they have tried to hire Singaporeans.

These employers have to advertise for Singaporeans to fill the vacancies in a national job bank administered by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency, the Manpower Ministry said on Monday. Firms with less than 25 staff will be exempted from advertising rule, or those hiring for jobs paying above $12,000 a month.

Those who do not advertise in the national job bank will have the foreigners' Employment Pass (EP) applications rejected. The move is part of a Fair Consideration Framework announced by the ministry that requires employers to consider Singaporeans fairly before hiring foreigners.

Besides the advertising rule, firms that have "disproportionately low concentration of Singaporeans" holding profession, managerial and executives jobs will have their hiring practices come under greater scrutiny by the ministry. The MOM will however not name these firms.

Said Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin: "These changes are part of a broader effort to ensure that good jobs continue to be created for Singaporeans. Many Singaporeans we spoke to understand the need for a diverse workforce. They recognise the need to compete for jobs on the basis of merit. The framework is not about 'Hire Singaporeans First, or Hire Singaporeans Only'. What the government is doing is to help them get a fair opportunity."

The MOM also announced on Monday a higher minimum salary for EP applications. From January next year, the qualifying salaries for all new EP applications will be raised to $3,300 from $3,000, in line with rising salaries.

The move is not part of the Fair Consideration Framework.

http://www.singapolitics.sg/news/fir...ing-foreigners

[wirehtc]

Good move but it is still hard to reduce discrimination during job interview.

[kane]

it's a move in the right direction. MOM can request to be an observer in the interview process to see how it is conducted.

[jeaprp]

Good move but it is still hard to reduce discrimination during job interview.

Employers can still wayang wayang, or go thru motion for 2 weeks
Then still hire their preferred candidate.

[DC33_2008]

I expected a higher percentage of people earning more than $12000/mth.

Extracted from today online news:

The advertising rule will apply from August next year for companies

with more than 25 workers and which are seeking foreign professionals,

managers and executives (PMEs) for jobs paying up to S$12,000. Employers

must post openings on govt portal; qualifying pay for new EP applications

raised.

Among Singaporeans, 95 per cent are within this salary range.

[Shanhz]

Employers can still wayang wayang, or go thru motion for 2 weeks
Then still hire their preferred candidate.

this rule is just a paper tiger. however having said that, it will have SOME effect. even if 90% of firms (hiring managers) wayang, there's still the 10% who will follow and one extra singaporean who gets a job, means one more family that does not go hungry. no prawn, fish also good.

[joelx]

this rule is just a paper tiger. however having said that, it will have SOME effect. even if 90% of firms (hiring managers) wayang, there's still the 10% who will follow and one extra singaporean who gets a job, means one more family that does not go hungry. no prawn, fish also good.

Companies are all profit oriented, I don’t think there is much discrimination at the moment. Is all about the right people at the right price at the right place. In ancient time, to win a war the general need to know 3 basic things, the weather (sky), the terrain (land) and the soldier (people). Thats why people is a very important element for a company to be successful. My view is as long as the company can find the right candidate either local or foreign, they will recruit. I would suggest company may want to adopt 14days on the local advertisement , at the same time using an agent to look for non local/local. once 14days over. Decide based on merit and suitability. Gd business for advertising Co.

[jeaprp]

Companies are all profit oriented, I don’t think there is much discrimination at the moment. Is all about the right people at the right price at the right place. In ancient time, to win a war the general need to know 3 basic things, the weather (sky), the terrain (land) and the soldier (people). Thats why people is a very important element for a company to be successful. My view is as long as the company can find the right candidate either local or foreign, they will recruit. I would suggest company may want to adopt 14days on the local advertisement , at the same time using an agent to look for non local/local. once 14days over. Decide based on merit and suitability. Gd business for advertising Co.

U might want to ask about the hiring culture in StandChart, Citi.....

[amk]

on one hand, you do have some(many?) not here not there Singaporean graduates "demanding" to be hired and paid top salary, which I think many employers shun (the new generation X/Y/Z think very highly of themselves. e.g. being an expert in playing computer games equal expert in IT or "gaming industry" )

on the other hand, you also have MNCs having blatant hiring policies where certain group of ppl are brought in specifically to replace/fill any new opennings. Worse, some MNCs pay good money to hire junior/young "expats" to fill lower level positions here (think back office clerks, whose pay will shock many local graduates), just because at the home country of these MNCs, they are obliged to hire these young ppl and send to Asia for an exotic holiday and also cannot fire them.

hard truth is, still have to fight for your self. Dun even think this new "guideline" will help you. It's not even a law.

[jeaprp]

on one hand, you do have some(many?) not here not there Singaporean graduates "demanding" to be hired and paid top salary, which I think many employers shun (the new generation X/Y/Z think very highly of themselves. e.g. being an expert in playing computer games equal expert in IT or "gaming industry" )

on the other hand, you also have MNCs having blatant hiring policies where certain group of ppl are brought in specifically to replace/fill any new opennings. Worse, some MNCs pay good money to hire junior/young "expats" to fill lower level positions here (think back office clerks, whose pay will shock many local graduates), just because at the home country of these MNCs, they are obliged to hire these young ppl and send to Asia for an exotic holiday and also cannot fire them.

hard truth is, still have to fight for your self. Dun even think this new "guideline" will help you. It's not even a law.

Yup, this is the Singapore way,
fend for yourself.
Nobody is going to help u.

[alamak]

on one hand, you do have some(many?) not here not there Singaporean graduates "demanding" to be hired and paid top salary, which I think many employers shun (the new generation X/Y/Z think very highly of themselves. e.g. being an expert in playing computer games equal expert in IT or "gaming industry" )

on the other hand, you also have MNCs having blatant hiring policies where certain group of ppl are brought in specifically to replace/fill any new opennings. Worse, some MNCs pay good money to hire junior/young "expats" to fill lower level positions here (think back office clerks, whose pay will shock many local graduates), just because at the home country of these MNCs, they are obliged to hire these young ppl and send to Asia for an exotic holiday and also cannot fire them.

hard truth is, still have to fight for your self. Dun even think this new "guideline" will help you. It's not even a law.

Make it a Law if you really want else NATO ... Gahment wayang show only.. No real enforcement ... after all we all know the NAT CON. fisaco ...

You died your own business ... No wonder the VTO2016 brigade getting bigger and bigger by the day ..

[Arcachon]

Don't understand, why study so hard and then go and work for somebody. Why don't think of being your own Boss and hire them instead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mATjvcwSjrA


李敖有话说：解释"新加坡人的笨"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtKzVJHJR04

[minority]

frankly what it signal is higher cost for employers. and translate to higher cost for consumers. which means price in general will go up.

Is that wat people want? I donno.

Incertain industry its very hard to hire singaporean. as they shun the jobs.

Perhaps the companies will move offshore. If doing business in Singapore become difficult.

net net could means higher cost and less job opportunities.

[teddybear]

if MOM don't vet anything, then the whole thing will be just for show, like company wayang place ad with MOM at ZERO costs, MOM will recommend people to interview with company, company will delay for 2 weeks then voila, no local willing/suitable for the jobs for at least 2 weeks, and the company can recruit foreigners again because they cheaper, faster, betterer, willing to work super long hours like 16 hours a day at no extra pay! Which locals willing to do that hah?

Good move but it is still hard to reduce discrimination during job interview.

[chestnut]

if MOM don't vet anything, then the whole thing will be just for show, like company wayang place ad with MOM at ZERO costs, MOM will recommend people to interview with company, company will delay for 2 weeks then voila, no local willing/suitable for the jobs for at least 2 weeks, and the company can recruit foreigners again because they cheaper, faster, betterer, willing to work super long hours like 16 hours a day at no extra pay! Which locals willing to do that hah?

Bro, renewal for passes now damn tough... Many a times rejected....

[joelx]

Bro, renewal for passes now damn tough... Many a times rejected....

Life going to be tough. Maybe in future PR renewal also reject. Less business, less profit, high cost, less tax, less work opportunity, Ppty price drop, retiree cannot retire. medical bill up,

[taggy]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...to/825718.html

SINGAPORE: The Manpower Ministry (MOM) has taken action against 10 more companies for discriminatory job advertisements.
It said investigations found that their advertisements were not aligned with the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices issued by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP).
The offending companies are PSC Biotech Pte Ltd, Winshire Education Centre, Dr.Ci:Labo Pte Ltd, Modern Pak Pte Ltd, Global Citizen Forum, Youbook Pte Ltd, Accredit HR Consultancy, Stafflink Services Pte Ltd, Sky Asia Consulting Pte Ltd, Zingmi Pte Ltd.
In one case, the company had advertised for the position of a full-time teacher, indicating "preferably Malaysians with teaching experience" as a requirement.
In another, the company advertised for the position of a director who must be "aged around 30 years."
The ministry said the companies have been told to put up online public apologies for 30 days -- which they have done. They have also been barred from hiring new foreign workers for six months following the publication of these apologies.
This brings the total number of companies the ministry has taken action against for discriminatory hiring practices since March to 12.
In March 2013, MOM took action against two companies -- Incofood Singapore and Expedia Singapore. Both companies put up public apologies as suggested by MOM.
Under the Tripartite Guidelines, employers who advertise a position requiring a specific attribute which may be viewed as discriminatory should ensure that the attribute is indeed a requirement of the job, and state the reason for the requirement in the advertisement.
For example, words or phrases that exclude Singaporeans or indicate preference for non-Singaporeans and those that exclude or indicate a preference for a certain age group or gender should not be used in job advertisements.


- CNA/ac

[joelx]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...to/825718.html

SINGAPORE: The Manpower Ministry (MOM) has taken action against 10 more companies for discriminatory job advertisements.
It said investigations found that their advertisements were not aligned with the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices issued by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP).
The offending companies are PSC Biotech Pte Ltd, Winshire Education Centre, Dr.Ci:Labo Pte Ltd, Modern Pak Pte Ltd, Global Citizen Forum, Youbook Pte Ltd, Accredit HR Consultancy, Stafflink Services Pte Ltd, Sky Asia Consulting Pte Ltd, Zingmi Pte Ltd.
In one case, the company had advertised for the position of a full-time teacher, indicating "preferably Malaysians with teaching experience" as a requirement.
In another, the company advertised for the position of a director who must be "aged around 30 years."
The ministry said the companies have been told to put up online public apologies for 30 days -- which they have done. They have also been barred from hiring new foreign workers for six months following the publication of these apologies.
This brings the total number of companies the ministry has taken action against for discriminatory hiring practices since March to 12.
In March 2013, MOM took action against two companies -- Incofood Singapore and Expedia Singapore. Both companies put up public apologies as suggested by MOM.
Under the Tripartite Guidelines, employers who advertise a position requiring a specific attribute which may be viewed as discriminatory should ensure that the attribute is indeed a requirement of the job, and state the reason for the requirement in the advertisement.
For example, words or phrases that exclude Singaporeans or indicate preference for non-Singaporeans and those that exclude or indicate a preference for a certain age group or gender should not be used in job advertisements.


- CNA/ac

The govt is just removing the company filtering system. The hard truth is ALL gender, age , nationality, can still apply. But the actual selection it will still be by certain gender, certain range of age and nationality. In short Hr dept needs to do their own filtering. create more job for Hr.

[teddybear]

Initially, the discrimination is in the open, and we know and have proof.

After this, the discrimination goes underground, and still existed, we know but there is no proof.

Viola! Does it mean that the discrimination problem has been eliminated? What is govt going to do about this underground discrimination?

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...to/825718.html

SINGAPORE: The Manpower Ministry (MOM) has taken action against 10 more companies for discriminatory job advertisements.
It said investigations found that their advertisements were not aligned with the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices issued by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP).
The offending companies are PSC Biotech Pte Ltd, Winshire Education Centre, Dr.Ci:Labo Pte Ltd, Modern Pak Pte Ltd, Global Citizen Forum, Youbook Pte Ltd, Accredit HR Consultancy, Stafflink Services Pte Ltd, Sky Asia Consulting Pte Ltd, Zingmi Pte Ltd.
In one case, the company had advertised for the position of a full-time teacher, indicating "preferably Malaysians with teaching experience" as a requirement.
In another, the company advertised for the position of a director who must be "aged around 30 years."
The ministry said the companies have been told to put up online public apologies for 30 days -- which they have done. They have also been barred from hiring new foreign workers for six months following the publication of these apologies.
This brings the total number of companies the ministry has taken action against for discriminatory hiring practices since March to 12.
In March 2013, MOM took action against two companies -- Incofood Singapore and Expedia Singapore. Both companies put up public apologies as suggested by MOM.
Under the Tripartite Guidelines, employers who advertise a position requiring a specific attribute which may be viewed as discriminatory should ensure that the attribute is indeed a requirement of the job, and state the reason for the requirement in the advertisement.
For example, words or phrases that exclude Singaporeans or indicate preference for non-Singaporeans and those that exclude or indicate a preference for a certain age group or gender should not be used in job advertisements.


- CNA/ac

[joelx]

Initially, the discrimination is in the open, and we know and have proof.

After this, the discrimination goes underground, and still existed, we know but there is no proof.

Viola! Does it mean that the discrimination problem has been eliminated? What is govt going to do about this underground discrimination?

There will not be any proof, just like when we looking for spouse, we all know appearance, age, background, education, financial, medical do play a part in our selection. just that we never say it out. if Questioned by anyone, we just say because of love and suitability.