Singapore is set to overtake Las Vegas as the world’s second-largest gambling hub this year

Singapore is set to overtake Las Vegas as the world’s second-largest gambling hub this year, a US gaming industry head said Tuesday, as Asia cements its place as a major betting market.

Singapore has emerged as Asia’s hottest new gambling destination with a revamped cityscape and billions of dollars pouring into the economy, after the opening of two resort casinos in 2010.

The strong growth came after Macau overtook the Las Vegas Strip as the world’s biggest gaming hub in 2006 and now boasts a gaming market almost four times as large as that of Vegas, thanks to burgeoning numbers of wealthy Asians.

The two resort casinos in Singapore posted $5.1 billion in gaming revenues in 2010, a figure forecast to rise to $6.4 billion this year, according to Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association.

A report citing research by the Royal Bank of Scotland has suggested Las Vegas will take $6.2 billion this year.

“Now more than a year old, the two integrated resorts in Singapore have exceeded all expectations and turned the nation into Asia’s second global gaming superpower,” said Fahrenkopf.

“The country’s gaming market will likely overtake Las Vegas as the world’s second-largest gaming center as early as this year,” he told a news conference on the sidelines of the Global Gaming Expo Asia, which opened Tuesday in Macau.

Resorts World Sentosa

 

Marina Bay Sands

The first Singapore casino opened in Malaysian-controlled Resorts World Sentosa in February 2010, with US-based Las Vegas Sands following two months later as the world economy was still clawing itself out of recession.

Asia’s strong growth in the gaming industry stands in sharp contrast to US venues such as the Las Vegas Strip, previously a byword for gambling but which is now suffering the effects of the global downturn.

The Sahara, an iconic Las Vegas hotel that once hosted names such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra and the Beatles, closed its doors last month, even as many Asian casinos are planning expansions.

Fahrenkopf said the potential in other Asian countries would also help spur growth, with several multibillion-dollar casino development projects due for completion over the next two years.

“Other developments in Asia are helping to clearly establish the region as the hottest gaming market in the world,” he said, noting the sector is expanding at record levels in Cambodia and Laos, while Sri Lanka is set to implement legal gambling next year.

He said the rapid growth in Singapore would not threaten Macau’s position, saying the former Portuguese colony has seen “dramatic growth in almost every measurable category,” after it opened its doors to foreign competition.

But he urged Macau to deal with labor shortage and infrastructure issues, as well as a cap of 5,500 gaming tables allowed before 2013, which could dampen growth.
Macau’s gaming scene was monopolized by tycoon Stanley Ho for decades until it opened to foreign competition in 2002. Since then, a stream of Las Vegas-based gaming companies has flooded into the southern Chinese city.

Gambling revenue in Macau, the only place in China where casinos are legal, surged to a new record in May with a 42 percent jump year on year at 24.31 billion patacas ($3 billion) – a record high for the fourth month in a row.

“Macau should continue to benefit from strong momentum after the successful opening of Galaxy Macau casino, which is driving visitations,” JP Morgan said in reference to the city’s newest resort casino, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Both Casinos employs more than 20,000 people.

source: Agence France-Presse

GIRO your tax and win up to $20,000 cash in “GIRO Your Tax” Lucky Draw

The Lucky Draws are open to individuals who pay income and property tax by GIRO. There will be 3 annual draws from 2011 to 2013. The longer one stays on GIRO, the higher the chances of winning in the Lucky Draws! Taxpayers now paying their tax on GIRO are already eligible for the Lucky Draws.

Top prize $20,000 to be won in the “GIRO Your Tax” Lucky Draw on 17 May 2011! Sign up for GIRO before 30 Apr 2011 to qualify for the 1^st year Draw with $65,000 cash prizes to be won!

Meet Michelle Chia, MediaCorp artiste at 'GIRO Your Tax' Roadshows
@ Eastpoint Mall on 2 Apr 2011 (Sat), 12pm to 4pm
@ Jurong Point on 3 Apr 2011 (Sun), 12pm to 4pm
@ Marina Square, Central Atrium on 17 May 2011 (Tue), 2pm to 5pm

Games and attractive prizes await you!

First Year Lucky Draw in May 2011

A pre-draw will be conducted in the presence of external auditors at 55 Newton Road, Revenue House, Singapore 307987. The following will be drawn at the pre-draw:
a) 100 winners for the cash prize of $100 each,
b) 83 winners for the cash prize of $200 each, and
c) 20 winners to be invited to a "Live" Lucky Draw event on 17 May 2011, where the top three (3) winners will be picked for the top 3 cash prizes. The remaining 17 will get cash prize of $200 each.

Easy ways to sign-up for GIRO

1. Instant approval if you sign-up at any AXS station (for DBS/POSB customers) or through Internet banking (for DBS/POSB or OCBC customers); or

2. Complete and send the GIRO application form (14 days to process); or

3. Sign-up for GIRO using the Payment Voucher enclosed with your tax bill.

Benefits of GIRO

Convenient
GIRO is an electronic cashless mode of payment.

No more queues
You do not have to spend time queuing at payment kiosks.

No more late payment
You will not miss the payment due dates.

Interest-free installments
You can enjoy up to 12 monthly interest-free installments, or opt for one-time GIRO deduction.  

Faster tax refund
You can receive tax refund faster as it will be credited directly to your bank account.  You do not have to wait for your refund to be posted to you in cheque.

Full control over GIRO with IRAS’ e-Services
You can adjust or cancel your GIRO plan just by calling IRAS on 1800 356 8300.
You can also view your GIRO plan and tax balance simply by logging in to myTax Portal.
     To view your installment plan > select ‘Payments->View Payment Plan’
     To view your tax balance > select ‘View Account Summary’

GIRO Promotion Lucky Draw

The GIRO Promotion Lucky Draw period is from Apr 2010 to Mar 2013. Sign up for GIRO before 30 April 2011 to be eligible for the first Lucky Draw in May 2011.

How to Qualify for the Lucky Draw and Get Higher Chances of Winning

As long as you have paid your income tax and/or property tax through GIRO during the qualifying periods, you are eligible for the draws.  You will get higher chances of winning if you continue to pay your income tax and/or property tax through GIRO during the promotion period, as illustrated below:

 

	1st Draw May 2011	2nd Draw May 2012	3rd Draw May 2012
Qualifying periods*	1 Apr 2010 - 31 Mar 2011	1 Apr 2011 - 31 Mar 2012	1 Apr 2012 - 31 Mar 2013
GIRO payment	Number of Chances
Income Tax	1	2	3
Property Tax	1	2	3
Total Chances	2	4	6

*For tax billed or payment made during these periods.

Lucky Draw Terms and Conditions (78.6KB)

Cash Prizes	1st Draw May 2011	2nd Draw May 2012	3rd Draw May 2013
1st prize	$20,000	$30,000	$50,000
2nd prize	$10,000	$15,000	$25,000
3rd prize	$5,000	$10,000	$15,000
Consolation Prizes	100 prizes of $200 each	200 prizes of $200 each	300 prizes of $200 each
Consolation Prizes	100 prizes of $100 each	200 prizes of $100 each	300 prizes of $100 each
Total Prizes	$65,000	$115,000	$180,000

FAQs on the Lucky Draw

Singapore to reduce dependency on foreign labour

 

Singapore has to make changes to the way it grows its economy as the model of relying on cheap and plentiful foreign workers to boost output is not sustainable, said Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

He was speaking at the Installation Ceremony of the 56th Council of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) on Tuesday.

Mr Goh said Singapore has raised the Foreign Worker Levy and provided incentives for businesses to raise productivity.

He also said the government will work closely with industry associations and business chambers to help their members become more competitive by improving their business models and raising productivity.

"Some people believe that the Foreign Worker Levy will be reversed if the economy slows down. But don’t bank on it. I would like to reiterate here that the government is determined to reduce the dependency on foreign labour and raise the productivity and incomes of Singaporeans," the senior minister said.

The chamber is also heeding the government’s call to raise productivity by helping its member companies to do so.

SCCCI president Teo Siong Seng outlined the chamber’s focus for the next two years, which includes venturing to overseas markets.

Mr Teo said the chamber will help the government to promote its various assistance schemes to its member companies. At the same time, he said it will help its member companies appeal for more simplified application procedures and a shortened approval process.

Mr Teo also said the chamber has received approval from the Ministry of Trade and Industry to set up a representative office in Shanghai through a new initiative for trade associations to venture abroad.

The chamber has already signed agreements with five trade association members.

The Shanghai Representative Office will help them to liaise with their counterparts, arrange for mutual visits and provide business matching services.

SCCCI is now discussing with other ethnic chambers on collaborations with the Shanghai Representative Office.

Singapore Manpower Ministry (MOM) raised salary thresholds for foreign professionals and skilled workers

The recent move by the Manpower Ministry (MOM) to raise the salary thresholds for foreign professionals and skilled workers may do little to quell demand for these workers.

From 1 July, for professionals, the qualifying salary thresholds for the three categories of Employment Pass holders will be raised respectively —

• Q1 = S$2,800
• P2 = S$4,000 
• P1 = S$8,000

For skilled workers, to qualify for an S—Pass, an applicant’s monthly salary will have to be S$2,000 or more, up from S$1,800.

MOM said the changes were made to keep pace with increases in locals’ wages and to encourage companies to be more selective when hiring foreign talent.

The higher salary thresholds were also introduced in response to concerns from Singaporeans that foreign talent is competing with them for jobs.

PrimeStaff Management Services has a number of S—Pass and Employment Pass workers on its payroll. It said the move to raise their salary thresholds will not have a big impact.

Ronald Lee, managing director of PrimeStaff Management Services, said: "When you hire, you don’t look at people just coming at the minimum level. You look at people who fit the requirements and these people who fit the requirements could already be earning $3,000, $4,000 or $5,000. So, if you really want to hire them, that is the kind of range you’ve got to be paying them."

Recruitment companies say clients still prefer to fill their positions with local workers. However, this may sometimes be a challenge. This is because local workers still demand much more, like in terms of salary expectations.

PrimeStaff Management Services’ Mr Lee said: "They would expect a very, very high package to entice them....Therefore, we have no choice but to look (at) outside (sources). There are also a lot of equally qualified foreigners who are keen to come at a lower salary, and these foreigners are generally more committed and they have a higher staying power."

The tight labour market is also making it tough to hire.

Phillip Overmyer, chief executive of Singapore International Chamber of Commerce, said: "(In) Singapore, if you look at the (labour) market, it is fully booked! Everybody is employed, more or less. So if the economy wants to grow, you have to hire other people."

Insight from Thomas Friedman": If Singapore has one thing to teach America, it is about getting governance right

Here’s an interesting insight from Thomas Friedman, an internationally renowned author, reporter, and columnist—the recipient of three Pulitzer Prizes and the author of five bestselling books, among them From Beirut to Jerusalem and Hot, Flat, and Crowded 2.0: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America

I am in the Gan Eng Seng Primary School in a middle-class neighborhood of Singapore, and the principal, A. W. Ai Ling, has me visiting a fifth-grade science class. All the 11-year-old boys and girls are wearing junior white lab coats with their names on them. Outside in the hall, yellow police tape has blocked off a “crime scene” and lying on a floor, bloodied, is a fake body that has been murdered. The class is learning about DNA through the use of fingerprints, and their science teacher has turned the students into little C.S.I. detectives. They have to collect fingerprints from the scene and then break them down.

I missed that DNA lesson when I was in fifth grade. When I asked the principal whether this was part of the national curriculum, she said no. She just had a great science teacher, she said, and was aware that Singapore was making a big push to expand its biotech industries and thought it would be good to push her students in the same direction early. A couple of them checked my fingerprints. I was innocent — but impressed.

This was just an average public school, but the principal had made her own connections between “what world am I living in,” “where is my country trying to go in that world” and, therefore, “what should I teach in fifth-grade science.”

I was struck because that kind of linkage is so often missing in U.S. politics today. Republicans favor deep cuts in government spending, while so far exempting Medicare, Social Security and the defense budget. Not only is that not realistic, but it basically says that our nation’s priorities should be to fund retirement homes for older people rather than better schools for younger people and that we should build new schools in Afghanistan before Alabama.

President Obama just laid out a smart and compelling vision of where our priorities should be. But he did not spell out how and where we will have to both cut and invest — really intelligently and at a large scale — to deliver on his vision.

Singapore is tiny and by no means a U.S.-style democracy. Yet, like America, it has a multiethnic population — Chinese, Indian and Malay — with a big working class. It has no natural resources and even has to import sand for building. But today its per capita income is just below U.S. levels, built with high-end manufacturing, services and exports. The country’s economy grew last year at 14.7 percent, led by biomedical exports. How?

If Singapore has one thing to teach America, it is about taking governing seriously, relentlessly asking: What world are we living in and how do we adapt to thrive. “We’re like someone living in a hut without any insulation,” explained Tan Kong Yam, an economist. “We feel every change in the wind or the temperature and have to adapt. You Americans are still living in a brick house with central heating and don’t have to be so responsive.” And we have not been.

Singapore probably has the freest market in the world; it doesn’t believe in import tariffs, minimum wages or unemployment insurance. But it believes regulators need to make sure markets work properly — because they can’t on their own — and it subsidizes homeownership and education to give everyone a foundation to become self-reliant. Singapore copied the German model that strives to put everyone who graduates from high school on a track for higher education, but only about 40 percent go to universities. Others are tracked to polytechnics or vocational institutes, so the vast majority graduate with the skills to get a job, whether it be as a plumber or a scientist.

Explained Ravi Menon, the Permanent Secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry: “The two ‘isms’ that perhaps best describe Singapore’s approach are: pragmatism — an emphasis on what works in practice rather than abstract theory; and eclecticism — a willingness to adapt to the local context best practices from around the world.”

It is a sophisticated mix of radical free-market and nanny state that requires sophisticated policy makers to implement, which is why politics here is not treated as sports or entertainment. Top bureaucrats and cabinet ministers have their pay linked to top private sector wages, so most make well over $1 million a year, and their bonuses are tied to the country’s annual G.D.P. growth rate. It means the government can attract high-quality professionals and corruption is low.

America never would or should copy Singapore’s less-than-free politics. But Singapore has something to teach us about “attitude” — about taking governing seriously and thinking strategically. We used to do that and must again because our little brick house with central heating is not going to be resistant to the storms much longer.

“There is real puzzlement here about America today,” said Kishore Mahbubani, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, “because we learned all about what it takes to build a well-functioning society from you. Many of our top officials are graduates of the Kennedy School at Harvard. They just came back home and applied its lessons vigorously.”

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What is an OEC and what are the requirements for the issuance of an OEC

What is an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)?

An Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), is a requirement under POEA Rules and Regulations to help ensure that Filipino overseas workers (OFWs) are properly documented and protected.

Only OFWs are required to get an OEC. In this case, OFWs would include: work permit holders such as domestic helpers, etc. as well as S-pass and E-pass holders. PRs, EPEC holders and OJTs are not required to get OECs.

Used OEC, whether regular or multiple, is a requirement to be submitted to the Department of Tourism to avail travel tax reduction for OFW dependents.

What are the requirements for Issuance of Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)?

Household Service Workers

• Accomplished application form
• Valid Employment Contract (processed by POEA or the Philippine Embassy – if there is no valid authenticated employment contract, please proceed to OEC for domestic worker for the checklist of requirements)
• Work Permit Card
• Passport
• Two-way ticket or Itinerary issued by travel agency
• Proof of OWWA valid membership (i.e. official receipt, certificate of coverage); worth S$42.00 renewable every 2  years.

Others Applicants

• Accomplished application form
• Employment Card, S Pass, Work Permit Card
• Passport
• Two-way ticket or Itinerary issued by travel agency
• Proof of OWWA valid membership (i.e. official receipt, certificate of coverage);  worth S$43.00 renewable every 2  years

Where and when to file an OEC?

OEC applications can be filed at Window 2 of the Philippine Embassy (Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. / Mondays to Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 pm and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

 

How long will it take to process an OEC?

During ordinary days (not peak season) 5 to 10 minutes, provided the documentary requirements are complete.

Can a household service worker apply directly with the embassy to secure an OEC, without passing thru Singapore agent (SinAgent)?

Yes, provided she has a valid employment contract processed by the Philippine Embassy, in addition to other documentary requirements stated above.

How much is the processing fee for OEC?

S$5.50 payable in cash only.

 

Multiple OEC

An OFW who will travel to the Philippines twice or more in a year may apply for and will be issued multiple OECs. The copy of the multiple travel exit clearance (OEC) shall be validated on the date of departure by the POEA Labor Assistance Center at the appropriate international airport and copies of the same shall be submitted by the OFW/s to the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to avail of the exemptions from payment of travel tax and airport terminal fee pursuant to Sec. 35, R.A. 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995).

 

What are the requirements for the application of a multiple OEC?

The issuance of “Multiple Travel Exit Clearances’ (Multiple OECs) is governed by POEA MC No. 12 (2005) which allows OFWs provided with short contract durations and frequent vacations to avail of the same with one year validity upon submission of the following:

• Valid Passport (Original)
• Valid  Work visa
• Proof of Current Employment (Contract for Domestic Workers/EP/S-pass , etc.) with more than a year’s validity; and
• Proof of OWWA membership (Official Receipt or Certificate of Membership Coverage) with more than a year’s validity.

Requirements and Fees before a Household Service Workers can get an OEC

An Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), is a requirement under POEA Rules and Regulations to help ensure that Filipino overseas workers (OFWs) are properly documented and protected.

The applicant should be accompanied by an eligible and qualified employer to process the authenticated Employment Contract at the Philippine Embassy.

• The Worker should have served continuously for at least two (2) years with the same employer.
• But if less than two (2) years, the processing will be through an accredited Singapore employment agency.

Requirements for the authenticated Employment Contract:

• Two (2) copies of Standard Employment Contract (Original) – All pages of the contract should be signed by the employer and the worker.
• Two (2) copies of Undertaking of an Employer (Original)
• Two (2) copies of Work Permit (plus 1 copy for passport renewal)
• Two (2) copies of Passport (plus 1 copy for passport renewal)
• One (1) copy of Employer’s IC
• Seven Thousand Singapore Dollars (S$7,000.00) Performance Bond from a reputable Insurance Company (Original)
• One (1) copy of the Ten Thousand Dollar Medical Insurance (MOM)

Home Leave – S$110.00

• Authentication of Contract – S$42.50
• Verification – S$20.00
• OWWA – $42.00
• Overseas Employment Certificate – S$5.50

Passport Renewal – S$189.50

• Authentication of Contract – S$42.50
• Verification – S$20.00
• OWWA – $42.00
• Passport - S$85.00

Renewal of Employment Contract Only – S$104.50

• Authentication of Contract – S$42.50
• Verification – S$20.00
• OWWA – $42.00

What does an expatriate in Singapore need to know about paying taxes and how much?

Expatriates need to pay taxes, and the amount of tax depends on how much you have earned and on your tax residency in Singapore.

A  resident expatriate will be taxed on all income earned in Singapore and any overseas income that was brought into Singapore prior to 01 Jan 2004. The income, after deduction of tax reliefs, will be taxed at progressive resident rates. The foreign-sourced income (with the exception of those received through partnerships in Singapore) brought into Singapore on or after 01 Jan 2004 is tax exempt.

Tax implications at a glance

If your period of stay (including work) in Singapore	Resident status	Tax implications
Is 60 days or less	Non-resident	Your short term employment income is exempt from tax.
Is 61 to 182 days in a year	Non-resident	Your income earned in Singapore will be taxed at 15% or progressive resident rates, whichever is higher. Director’s fees and other income earned in or derived from Singapore are taxed at the prevailing rate of 20%
Is at least 183 days in a year	Resident for that year	All your income will be taxed at progressive resident rates.  You may claim tax reliefs.
Is at least 183 days for a continuous period over two years	Resident for both years	As above
Covers three consecutive years	Resident for both years	As above

 

Singapore’s taxation rate is one of the most competitive in the world. After deducting personal reliefs, personal income taxes are levied on a graduated scale which starts at 0% and is capped at a favorable 20%. There is no tax on income derived and received outside of Singapore, and no capital gains or estate taxes to worry about.

	Chargeable Income (SGD$)	Rate (%)	Gross Tax Payable (SGD$)
On the first On the next	$20,000 $10,000	0 3.50	$0 $350
On the first On the next	$30,000 $10,000	- 5.50	$350 $550
On the first On the next	$40,000 $40,000	- 8.50	$900 $3,400
On the first On the next	$80,000 $80,000	- 14	$4,300 $11,200
On the first On the next	$160,000 $160,000	- 17	$15,500 $27,200
On the first On the next	$320,000 $320,000	- 20	$42,700

 

Please refer to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore website for more information.

New deployment scheme used by some POEA-licensed agencies exposed in Singapore

A new deployment scheme used by some POEA-licensed agencies was exposed in Singapore last week when 16 documented overseas Filipino workers were prevented from boarding their connecting flights to Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for using unconfirmed e-tickets.

Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Minda Calaguian-Cruz disclosed that 16 documented workers who arrived in Singapore in two separate flights of JetStar Airways en route to various destinations in Middle East were assisted by the Embassy’s labor attaché at the Changi Airport after they were not allowed to board their planes due to unconfirmed bookings.  The Cathay Pacific Airways and Qatar Airlines had required them to present at the check-in counter, the credit card used to purchase the tickets or its holder, which the workers failed to do.

The stranded workers were

• Angelita Miraflor
• Mercy Vailoses
• Joan Erispi
• Angelito Bueno
• Florentina Bangonon
• Tissel Joy Basco
• Lailanie Bohol
• Ledialyn Parriso
• Anelyn Chatto de los Santos
• Nor Inn Saraudin Mamarenta
• Arnisa Abara Abdul
• Nenita Padilla Resurrecion
• Imelda Bris Leopardas
• Tang Aisa Kamal
• Fatima Joy Camagay
• Abdul Kindo Sandigan.

Based on the statements of the workers, their employment papers were processed by the POEA and their agencies gave them two separate tickets for their flights to Singapore and their connecting flights to the Middle East.  They were given photocopies of a credit card to be shown at the airline check-in counter and were not aware that their onward flights were unconfirmed.

The stranded workers were sheltered at the Embassy’s Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) for 3 days.  They departed for their respective overseas destinations after the Embassy negotiated their airline tickets with their deploying agencies.

“The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration should investigate the case and punish those responsible for allowing their deployed overseas workers to leave the country with unconfirmed bookings.  Workers should personally check with airline companies if their bookings are confirmed, otherwise, their security and safety would be compromised before they can even start to work overseas”, Ambassador Cruz stressed.

source: Philippine Embassy

Hiring Filipino maids harder as Philippines enforces Republic Act No. 8042

A RECENT tightening of Philippine laws has made it tougher for employers in Singapore to hire Filipinas as domestic workers.

Immigration screening has been stepped up, and those bound for jobs here without the proper papers have been stopped from leaving the country.

The amendments to the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042) is aimed at improving the ‘protection and welfare’ of Filipino migrant workers, said the Philippine embassy here.

Changes to the law were passed last year, but the rules implementing the law were issued only on July 28, said a Philippine government website.

Manpower agencies in the Philippines said Singapore is not being specifically targeted, but the Philippine authorities want to put a lid on Filipinos leaving for jobs abroad without going through Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) procedures.

The POEA issues a Filipino seeking work overseas an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), explained Mr Rodolfo Sabulao, the labour attaché at the Philippine embassy here.

To get that certificate, the job seeker must have supporting documents, including a standard employment contract verified by the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) and authenticated by the Philippine embassy or consulate.

POEA also requires these job seekers to be trained, so as to prepare them for their overseas work stints.

Nine Singapore agents who spoke to The Straits Times said they have stopped bringing in Filipinas as domestic workers as it has become too troublesome.

The Straits Times understands that some agents have been getting around the regulations by working with Philippine travel agents to get the women out of their country as tourists first.

That done, the Singapore agents provide the women with an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter or Letter of Notification from the Manpower Ministry, so that they can enter Singapore legally.

The domestic workers then sign local contracts provided by the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore), which is recognised by the Manpower Ministry.

Mr Sabulao said: ‘As far as the Philippine government is concerned, leaving the Philippines as a tourist, when the intention is to work overseas, is illegal, even if they have an IPA.’

Illegal or not, Filipinos are doing it. Seven in 10 Filipino maids here do not have POEA papers. This is an estimate by Ms Thelma Uanang, who runs Philquest, a POEA-registered Manila-based recruitment agency which sends about 65 maids a month here the legitimate way.

About 196,000 foreigners were here as maids as of last December, with Filipinas remaining popular because they speak English. This is why some agents still bring them in, even if the new rules may mean waiting longer for the maid to arrive – up to three weeks, as opposed to a week back when the rules were more lax.

Employers might also have to pay more: The contract verified by POLO secures for maids a salary of $540 and four days off a month, said Mr Sabulao.

But agents say employers here seldom agree to pay a new Filipino domestic worker more than $350 to $370. Some are also reluctant to give maids days off.

Mr Edmund Pooh of the Universal Employment Agency here said: ‘The Philippine government has good intentions, but on the other hand, they’re making it difficult for their people to get a job, as most employers won’t agree to such terms.’

But the Philippine government is sticking to its guns.

Said Mr Sabulao: ‘If workers are deployed and leave as tourists and don’t have proper documentation, nobody is held accountable. If they are injured, who will be liable?’

source: straitstimes.com

Beware of Travel Agencies sending Filipino domestic helpers illegally to Singapore

This is from POEA Advisory:

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration advises Filipino women intending to work as domestic helpers in Singapore to use the legal process of overseas employment and not rely on the services of travel agency operators who are moonlighting as employment agents.

Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili, citing a report from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Singapore, said 99 per cent of Filipino domestic helpers who ran away from their employers were deployed by travel agents and do not have valid overseas employment documents issued by the POEA.

In a report to the POEA, Rodolfo M. Sabulao, the Philippine labor attaché to Singapore said a syndicate composed of travel agencies in the Philippines is behind this illegal recruitment scheme in connivance with placement agencies in Singapore which were not accredited by the Philippine embassy and therefore have no counterpart  recruitment agency in the Philippines.

Also according to the report, at least five Filipino domestic helpers who were able to leave the Philippines as tourists run away from their employers every day because of financial difficulties and seek refuge at the Philippine embassy. Some of them had only worked for 3 days to 5 months before leaving their employers.

The workers were asked to sign a one-page contract indicating their salaries ranging from $250.00 to $350.00 per month with no day off. The workers, however, get only $20.00 per month as subsistence allowance because the Singapore agency has to deduct from their salary the placement fee equivalent to seven months salary.

Manalili clarified that household workers receive a monthly salary of $400. She also said that she has already requested from Labatt Sabulao the names of the travel agencies involved in the illegal recruitment scheme for proper investigation.

Filipinos in distress who need urgent assistance may call the embassy duty officer at telephone no. +65-9072-2797.

Pag-IBIG Membership now required before you can get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

From Philippine Embassy Singapore:

The Pag-IBIG Fund announced that effective 1 July 2010, the Philippine Overseas Employment  Agency (POEA), under the 18 June 2010 Collection Servicing Agreement signed between the Fund and the POEA, has started collecting Pag-IBIG Fund membership contributions  from departing OFWs.

Under Republic Act 9679, Pag-IBIG membership is now a requirement for the issuance of the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). Beginning July 18, 2010 the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO- Singapore) will  collect Pag-IBIG membership dues prior to the issuance of the OEC. This arrangement will provide more OFWs greater access to the huge benefits available only to members.  These benefits include the provident savings, multi—purpose, calamity and housing loans.

In Singapore, an initial contribution of S$5.50 is required for membership. All qualified members can avail of a housing loan of up to P3 million with a maximum loan term of 30 years.

In Singapore, the Pag-IBIG post is located at Classified Resources Pte.Ltd. 304 Orchard Road #02-45, Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863 or at the Philippine Embassy, 20 Nassim Road.

There are also Pag-IBIG accredited collecting banks/agents and remittance companies in Lucky Plaza that can accept membership and monthly payments.  In the Philippines, they may register directly at the Pag-IBIG office located at the 6/F, Justine Bldg., Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City. Members may likewise register through any Pag-IBIG office in the Philippines or at its satellite offices located at the POEA and NAIA.

The Pag-IBIG Fund in coordination with the Embassy of the Philippines recently conducted a Housing Fair in Singapore. Jaime A. Fabiaña, chief executive officer of the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund),  said  today that the Housing Fair dubbed  “Sa Pag-IBIG ko, Ginhawa Mo!” held at the Suntec Convention Center last June 27 was a “resounding success.”

The fair, attended by an estimated 2,000 OFWs, had 30 real estate developers who brought to Singapore their inventory of available housing packages in the Philippines. It also provided  an opportunity for Filipinos working in Singapore to choose their dream house from the huge inventories of these packages that would match their budget and their needs.

The housing fair likewise served as a venue for Pag-IBIG to build awareness among OFWS regarding the Fund’s universal membership coverage under its new charter.  Republic Act 9679, or the HDMF Law of 2009, made Pag-IBIG membership mandatory for all formally employed Filipinos, including OFWs.

According to Fabiana, the housing fair provided “an excellent platform for Pag-IBIG to generate new members, and for participating developers to reach potential buyers. Pag-IBIG has some of the most affordable housing loans in the Philippines today, and it makes sense to reinforce its membership campaign among OFWs by highlighting this huge benefit available only to members,” he said.

Pag-IBIG personnel were on hand during the  fair to accept membership applications and assist in the on-line registration of new members, as well as verify the total savings and amortization status of existing members.

Former Vice President and Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Noli “Kabayan” De Castro  was the guest of honor.  Entertainment numbers  were provided by Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 scholars Laarni Lozada and Bugoy Drilon.

 

Nathalie A. Fajardo
Cultural Assistant
Philippine Embassy
20 Nassim Road
Singapore 258395
T: +65 6737 - 3977 ext. 101
F: +65 6733 - 9544

It’s Tax Season Time

Well ladies and gentleman, it's time to file your Income Tax Return before the deadline . You are required to send in your tax return if you have received an IRAS notice regardless of your income.

I have just e-filed my B1 form today. I have been anticipating this since two weeks back when IRAS announced the availability of e-filing. Apparently, our company already transmitted the employees' remuneration details and deductions (e.g. CPF contributions and donations) to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore ("IRAS") electronically. However the data is still in pending queue and will not be viewable from IRAS.

If your is employer is participating in the Auto-Inclusion Scheme, you can still proceed with individual filing without seeing the income data.

According to IRAS "Employees who proceed to e-file (without seeing their employment income details) have to select "option 2" and to tick the box in Section A. "Tick the box if your employer is  participating in the Auto-Inclusion Scheme for Employment Income and details are not known in the Income, Deduction and Reliefs Statement".

How to find out if your company is in the Auto-Inclusion Scheme? That question has been anticipated and you can find it here - “List of Employers Filing Employment Income Electronically From the Year of Assessment 2009”.

IRAS is providing a free SMS service to allow you to check whether your tax filing has been received by IRAS. You can do this 2-3 days after your successful filing.

Simply key in “filetax<space>NRIC/FIN Number” and send your SMS to 9116 4900. They will respond to you by SMS.

[e.g. filetax S1234567A]

For those who are filing their ITR for the first, these information may be able to help you understand the process:

• Guide To Completing Form B1
• How To e-file
• Quick Guide For e-filers
• Individual Income Tax

MOM Introduced Measures to Prevent Profiteering from employment of Foreign Workers

For those who are planning to take their chances to hit the jackpot in Singapore, read and understand this information carefully.

To summarize, it is an offense/illegal for employers and employment agencies to collect/receive any form of payment (whether monetary or in kind) in exchange for employment consideration.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) introduced new Work Permit and S Pass conditions to prohibit employers from receiving payment as consideration for employing foreign workers, and recovering employment-related costs from foreign workers. A new licence condition will also be introduced to prohibit employment agencies from offering payment to employers, in exchange for hiring foreign workers through them. The new conditions will make clear to employers and employment agencies that engaging in such malpractices constitute an offence.

1. Why is MOM introducing new Work Permit & S Pass Conditions and Employment Agency Licence Condition to prevent employers and employment agencies from profiteering from employment of foreign workers?

   Such practices increase the debt burden and compromise the welfare of foreign workers. The new conditions will make clear to employers and employment agencies that engaging in such malpractices constitute an offence.

2. What are the new Work Permit and S Pass Conditions? When will it be effective?

   From 14 July 2008, it is an offence for employers to receive any form of payment (whether monetary or in kind) from a Work Permit holder or employment agent as consideration for the employment of the Work Permit holder. Employers are also prohibited from recovering employment-related expenses such as the levy and security bond, from their Work Permit holders. These new conditions will also apply to employers of S Pass holders.

3. What are some of the employment-related expenses that cannot be recovered from the foreign worker?

   An employer is not allowed to recover employment-related expenses, (whether monetary or in kind), which are payable by the employer. Some of these include, but are not limited to:
   a) fees associated with application, issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of the Work Permit or S Pass
   b) costs associated with furnishing a security deposit required by MOM;
   c) costs associated with medical insurance required by MOM;
   d) costs associated with medical examination required by MOM;
   e) foreign worker levy payments required by MOM;
   f) costs associated with training a foreign employee, where the training is provided by employer or required by MOM; or
   g) repatriation costs.
   

4. Who will be affected by the new Work Permit and S Pass Conditions?

   The new Work Permit conditions prohibiting employers from receiving payment (whether monetary or in kind) as consideration for the employment of the foreign worker or recovering employment-related costs will apply to all employers of Work Permit holders, including foreign domestic workers, and employers of S Pass holders.

5. What is the penalty for employers who do not comply with the new Work Permit and S Pass Conditions?

   Errant employers who breach the new Work Permit and S Pass conditions will be fined up to $5,000 and/or imprisoned for up to six months under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. They will also be barred from employing foreign workers in the future.

6. What is the new Employment Agency Licence Condition? When will it be effective?

   From 14 July 2008, employment agencies will be prohibited from offering, directly or indirectly, any form of payment (whether monetary or in kind) to employers, in exchange for the employers hiring foreign workers through them.

7. Who will be affected by the new Employment Agency Licence Condition?

   The new Employment Agency Licence condition will apply to all employment agencies carrying out recruitment or placement activities of foreign workers, including foreign domestic workers.

8. What is the penalty for employment agencies who do not comply with the new Employment Agency Licence Condition?

   Employment agencies that breach the new Employment Agency Licence Condition will have their licences revoked and their security deposit forfeited.

9. Will MOM be implementing other measures to curb the errant practice and the recovery of employment-related costs from foreign workers?

   MOM is working with the Singapore National Employers Federation to advise employers not to engage in such malpractices.  Foreign workers will also be educated on the new regulatory measures through guidebooks issued by MOM, namely “Working in Singapore - A Guide for Foreign Workers” and “A Handy Guide for Foreign Domestic Workers in Singapore”, as well as briefings conducted during safety orientation courses.

10. How will employers and employment agencies be informed of the new Work Permit & S Pass Conditions and Employment Agency Licence Condition?

    Employers of Work Permit holders (including foreign domestic workers) and S Pass holders, as well as employment agencies will be informed of the Work Permit and S Pass Conditions and Employment Agency Licence Condition via circulars from MOM. MOM will also announce the new conditions on the WPOL and via the EA Alert.

11. How can foreign workers report breaches of the new legislations?

    Foreign workers can call the MOM Call Centre at (65) 6438 5122 or email to mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg.

12. Where can I find more information on the new Work Permit and S Pass Regulations and Employment Agency Licence Condition?

    You may wish to call the MOM Contact Centre at (65) 6438 5122, or access the website for more information on the new Work Permit and S Pass Conditions and Employment Agency Licence Condition.

 

Source: http://www.mom.gov.sg

Maximum working hours according to Singapore Labor Laws

This might interest the working professionals in Singapore…….

• Maximum working hours as per Employment Act: 
  
  An employee is not allowed to work for more than 12 hours within a day except in the following circumstances:
  a)   Accident or threat of accident;
  b)   Work that is essential to:
         i.    the life of the community; .
         ii.   national defence; or
         iii.  security;
  c)   Urgent work to be done to machinery or plant; or
  d)   An interruption of work which was impossible to foresee.
  
  
• Overtime
  
  All work in excess of the above hours of work is considered as overtime work, and the employee must be paid no less than 1.5 times his/her hourly basic rate of pay.
  
  Payment for overtime work must be made within 14 days after the last day of the salary period.
  
  The rate of payment is not less than one and a half times the employee's hourly basic rate of pay.
  
  source: Employment Act.
  

Tough Times

Just got my monthly newsletter from efinancial careers and it was all pure bad news for those are in working the banking industry.

Their top stories:

Banks discuss tough times in recruitment
“Junior candidates are especially scared of being last in, first out. They want to join a prudently run organisation. The monetary aspects of a job are less important than getting some degree of security.

Jobs in jeopardy as RBS plans Asian exit
“Many RBS people are now just going to be surfing the net all day. The people I know there don’t know where they stand. They are in limbo,” says one headhunter who asked not to be named.

>>full story

Hope this ends soon. It’s making us all nervous.

Retrenchment: The last evacuation drill

Is this supposed to be a joked? Anyway, keep reading….

In a large multinational company..............

A fire alarm rang at 4 PM in a large office when almost all employees were in office (approx 5000). As usual the entire office was evacuated within 3 mins & all employees gathered outside the office in the designated area waiting for further announcement.

The Security Officer in charge made the following announcement:

"Dear employees - with sincere regret I have been asked to announce that for many of you it will be your last evacuation drill. Due to the recession the company is laying off almost 50% of its employees. So when this announcement finishes, I ask all of you to move back into the building and if your swipe card does not work then it means you have been laid off in which case you will not be allowed inside and all your belongings will be couriered to you by tomorrow.

The Company has used this innovative approach as we didn't want to fill up the email box with lay-off mails and good bye mails in thousands & also to avoid any fight inside the office and the consequent security issue for all staff.

Hope you have had a rewarding career with us and all the best ahead.

Please move back in and try your luck".

The New Enhanced CITREP Grant Scheme: Take Back Course Fee And Exam Up To 80% Savings

In order to be competitive in this challenging times, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) updated the rule for how much “rebate” one could get back from the existing 50% to a whopping 80% on CITREP course fees. Imagine taking a course that would normally cost S$5000, you will only pay S$1000 after applying the incentive. This is a very big saving indeed.

The Critical Infocomm Technology Resource Programme (CITREP) is an existing training incentive programme to encourage professionals to acquire critical and emerging infocomm skills. IDA has enhanced the CITREP to further incentivize professionals and companies to continue skills upgrading and competency development during the economic downturn.

The programme supports the course and examination fees for training courses and certifications in the following critical and emerging skill areas which are articulated in the National Infocomm Competency Framework (NICF):

• Infocomm Security
• Interactive Digital Media
• IT Services
• Network and Communications
• Project Management
• Software and Applications
• Telecommunications

According to IDA:

The enhanced CITREP funding allows both infocomm and non-infocomm professionals to update and upgrade themselves in the dynamic, competitive and fast changing infocomm industry as follows:

Enhanced CITREP (for FY09 and FY10)

• For Course and Certification Fees Support, up to 80% (from 50%) of the nett payable course and examination fees, capped at $3,000 per trainee; or
• For Certification Fees Support, up to 80% (from 50%) of the nett payable examination fees, capped at $500 per trainee; or
• For Organization-Sponsored Trainees only: The sponsoring organizations are eligible for Absentee Payroll, at $50 per day, when they sponsor their employees for Full-Time Training.

To be eligible for funding support under CITREP, a trainee must:

• Be a Singapore citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident;
• Meet the admission criteria set by the Course Provider or Certificate Awarding Body;
• Commence all training courses or certification examinations between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2011 (or otherwise stipulated by IDA);
• Ensure that the endorsed course providers or testing centers have submitted their enrolments for their intended courses or certifications on their behalf in the iTRAIN system before the commencement of the training courses or certifications;
• For Organization-Sponsored Trainees: The sponsoring organization must be incorporated or registered in Singapore. Employees of local government agencies are not eligible. Employees of these organizations can, however, qualify for CITREP under the self-sponsored category;
• For Course and Certification Fees Support: The trainee must complete the course and pass all examinations required by the certification or post-training assessment within 12 months from the course commencement date:
  • With at least 75% of the training as per endorsed roadmap; and
  • Achieve the final certification status (applicable to certifiable programmes only) or pass the post-course assessment; and
• For Certification Fees Support: Pass all examinations required by the certification within 12 months from the commencement date of the first examination (applicable to certifiable programmes only).

  A total budget of $25 million is estimated for Enhanced CITREP for FY09 and FY10. This programme is expected to benefit 10,000 infocomm professionals over the next two years.

The list of endorsed courses and certifications can be found on the iTRAIN website.

Note: CITREP funding does not support GST, registration and membership fees, rebates, incentives, discounts or any training grants offered by the Course Providers, Testing Centers or any other organizations in relation to the endorsed courses and certifications.

JOBSDB CAREER EXPO 2009

After the IT Show, there will be another exhibit in Suntec this week. And this exhibit is necessary to stimulate the slowing economy.

For those who are currently looking for a job or those who are contemplating for a change in environment, check out JobDB's Career Expo this weekend.

 

DATE: 20 - 22 March 2009
VENUE: Suntec Singapore Halls 602 & 603, Level 6
TIME: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Daily
Open to public (16 years & above) .

Pre-registration is required here: http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/careerexpo