On Thursday, December 7, Singapore and China jointly announced their intention to establish a 30-day mutual visa exemption agreement as part of an effort to enhance people-to-people exchanges, taking advantage of improved flight connectivity in the post-pandemic era. This proposal was unveiled during the 19th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting, the highest-level annual [...]
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is a government agency within the Philippine executive department established to encourage and oversee the development of Filipino human resources abroad. Operating under the management of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), POEA provides services such as facilitating employment opportunities, offering placement assistance, providing training, and ensuring follow-up [...]
As part of its strategic goals, the Singaporean government actively seeks to attract talented individuals to reside and work in the country, ultimately encouraging them to become permanent residents. The Singapore Global Investor Program (SGIP) is specifically crafted for affluent and experienced foreign entrepreneurs, business proprietors, and managers looking to establish businesses or invest in [...]
For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Singapore returning from a vacation in the Philippines, securing the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), also known as the Balik Manggagawa certificate, is a crucial step before resuming work in Singapore. Understanding the significance of the OEC is essential for OFWs, and this article provides guidelines for acquiring the certificate. [...]
In accordance with the regulations set by the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are mandated to possess an OEC when embarking on or returning from their overseas assignments. Functioning as an exit clearance/pass, the OEC validates the regularity of recruitment and documentation for an OFW and serves as evidence of [...]
In addition to complying with dependency ratio requirements, migrant workers in the construction and process sectors, excluding those from Malaysia and North Asian source (NAS) countries/regions, are obligated to meet Man-Year Entitlement (MYE) criteria. MYE serves as a Work Permit allocation system specifically designed for workers from non-traditional source (NTS) countries/regions and the People’s Republic [...]
The government has been actively aiding the Construction and Process sectors during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, to assist firms grappling with increased manpower costs due to limited worker inflow, foreign worker levy rebates of $250 per Work Permit holder (WPH) have been implemented in these sectors. Recognizing the acute worker shortages, immediate measures are [...]
If you're a foreign national seeking an internship or training opportunity in Singapore, you'll require what is commonly known as a Singapore internship visa, officially referred to as a Training Employment Pass (TEP). Issued by the Ministry of Manpower, the TEP enables foreign nationals to undergo practical training for professional, managerial, executive, or specialist roles [...]
Employing foreign talent is a crucial aspect that fosters business growth and brings diverse skill sets to your SME. To engage skilled foreign workers, certain statutory requirements must be met by employers in the employment contract when hiring employees in Singapore. The Employment Act governs the employer-employee relationship in Singapore, and the terms of an [...]
On September 26, 2023, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) pressed charges against four foreign nationals for allegedly engaging in unauthorized employment as food delivery riders in Singapore. They were accused of working without valid work permits, and two Singaporeans and one Permanent Resident (PR) were also charged with alleged complicity in these activities. They were [...]