Potential Job in Singapore...
Discussion
Here's a tip, always sign your contract in the UK, or state the place of signng as being in the UK, and get your employer to get your work permit, most places then insist that they repatriate you at the end of the job, even if not in the contract,(so you get the air ticket home etc and you can go to court for it, of course you can.t work for them again).
I once had a job where the UK company was taken over and the new owners tried to dump all the ex pats overseas, my contrat was signed in London, got my lwayer to get the case heard by a UK court because of this, and the company paid up with legal fees befor it came up, other people had to pay to get home themselves.
I once had a job where the UK company was taken over and the new owners tried to dump all the ex pats overseas, my contrat was signed in London, got my lwayer to get the case heard by a UK court because of this, and the company paid up with legal fees befor it came up, other people had to pay to get home themselves.
Hi all,
Many thanks for all of your replies - very helpful and informative.
Just got back from a flying visit to Singapore to experience the city and meet a few people. Amazing place, first time in Asia so the heat and humidity was a big shock... Soon got used to it.
Had a few conversations, still waiting for a few of my questions to be answered, will update once I know the full package.
I managed to gain access to this post when I was in Sing and made a few points/comments to my potential employee on what you all said – once again thanks!! As GlenMH said, I only have one opportunity to get the package right.
I have been looking around at properties online; seen a few ideal ones around $3300 – 3600 (2bed + 1bathroom) in districts 9 and 10. What’s the recommend district(S) to live in?
Do prices on property websites tend to be negotiable?
Eager to get my girlfriend out here and earn some extra income if possible, how would I go about enquiring/getting a work visa for my her? Assuming a job needs to be secured before she can apply for an EP? This looks to be difficult with her lack of qualifications...
Thanks
Many thanks for all of your replies - very helpful and informative.
Just got back from a flying visit to Singapore to experience the city and meet a few people. Amazing place, first time in Asia so the heat and humidity was a big shock... Soon got used to it.
Had a few conversations, still waiting for a few of my questions to be answered, will update once I know the full package.
I managed to gain access to this post when I was in Sing and made a few points/comments to my potential employee on what you all said – once again thanks!! As GlenMH said, I only have one opportunity to get the package right.
I have been looking around at properties online; seen a few ideal ones around $3300 – 3600 (2bed + 1bathroom) in districts 9 and 10. What’s the recommend district(S) to live in?
Do prices on property websites tend to be negotiable?
Eager to get my girlfriend out here and earn some extra income if possible, how would I go about enquiring/getting a work visa for my her? Assuming a job needs to be secured before she can apply for an EP? This looks to be difficult with her lack of qualifications...
Thanks
Edited by CoffeeMate on Tuesday 22 November 20:51
Glad to hear you enjoyed Singapore!
Have to say that at $3.5 to 4k you are at the bottom end of the rental market for 9 & 10, Holland and Bukkit Timah are rather trendy expensive areas in West Central, which if your colleges were suggesting out there implies that they are on significantly more than your original proposed rate.
Its also a more expensive area for drinking & dining, and the MRT network is not that accessible, so you will be using buses / taxi's
Having said that, it is a nice area to live in with a great crowd .... you will end up being a regular at Walla Walla's probably
Whereabouts will your office be? And i will suggest some locations.
Have to say that at $3.5 to 4k you are at the bottom end of the rental market for 9 & 10, Holland and Bukkit Timah are rather trendy expensive areas in West Central, which if your colleges were suggesting out there implies that they are on significantly more than your original proposed rate.
Its also a more expensive area for drinking & dining, and the MRT network is not that accessible, so you will be using buses / taxi's
Having said that, it is a nice area to live in with a great crowd .... you will end up being a regular at Walla Walla's probably
Whereabouts will your office be? And i will suggest some locations.
Agree with XJS, as always...
They are expensive areas and my buddies have just got a 2 bed place out there for $4.5k...
You also need to bear in mind that property sites lure you in and don't get updated regularly.
I wanted to pay $4.5k (going from wensites when I was in the UK) and ended up paying $6.5k for the basic rent on the right place.
I always find Holland Village and BT well out of the way as well. I know JD is East Coast and things can be cheaper out there and he mostly drinks out there, but we are usually around the CBD or the Quays or Club Street when we go out and Holland Village/ BT are a fair way from there and going out round there can be very expensive as it is more of an expat family place. At least that's how I see it.
Both John (i'm sure) and myself have Estate Agent mates out here, if you need any help but as John says; let us know where you office is and we can take a look at the MRT map and see what's what. I know it sounds like I am banging on about being central but I think you will struggle to get your missus a legit job
And, you really do not want her stuck out in the middle of nowhere, while you are at work, with no mates etc. Even laying by a pool or going shopping gets boring very fast.
The only thing I can recommend she do at the moment is get her CV brushed up and write a cover letter saying you are being moved to Singapore and send it to every single company that does her line of work in Singapore and then tell them that she will need sponsoring for an EP and see what they come back with. In the meantime, I would apply for the LTSVP, just so she is 'legal' over here.
How old are you, by the way? Or did I miss that in earlier posts?
They are expensive areas and my buddies have just got a 2 bed place out there for $4.5k...
You also need to bear in mind that property sites lure you in and don't get updated regularly.
I wanted to pay $4.5k (going from wensites when I was in the UK) and ended up paying $6.5k for the basic rent on the right place.
I always find Holland Village and BT well out of the way as well. I know JD is East Coast and things can be cheaper out there and he mostly drinks out there, but we are usually around the CBD or the Quays or Club Street when we go out and Holland Village/ BT are a fair way from there and going out round there can be very expensive as it is more of an expat family place. At least that's how I see it.
Both John (i'm sure) and myself have Estate Agent mates out here, if you need any help but as John says; let us know where you office is and we can take a look at the MRT map and see what's what. I know it sounds like I am banging on about being central but I think you will struggle to get your missus a legit job
And, you really do not want her stuck out in the middle of nowhere, while you are at work, with no mates etc. Even laying by a pool or going shopping gets boring very fast.The only thing I can recommend she do at the moment is get her CV brushed up and write a cover letter saying you are being moved to Singapore and send it to every single company that does her line of work in Singapore and then tell them that she will need sponsoring for an EP and see what they come back with. In the meantime, I would apply for the LTSVP, just so she is 'legal' over here.
How old are you, by the way? Or did I miss that in earlier posts?
A few more comments to add :
I live in D09 - 10 ( just off Orchard ) ...a short walk from the central MRT junction .. a very very convenient area: I walk to work , and can walk to most central places in 15-20 minuets , or 5 minutes on the MRT , very near a lot of the shops / pubs / restaurants and public parks
However you will not get a decent 2 bed place for $4k in this area .. unless it is located away from an MRT station / doesn't have the usual full condo facilities / or is HDB / or maybe in a good block but gets noise from a construction site next door
[ NOTE : check if there are any upcoming builds next door to where you rent !! - you may find a noisy condo project just starting next door after you move in ... pile driving 10 hours / day ]
I can put you in touch with an agent who helped me immensely when I arrived searching for a condo and negotiating the rent etc , ... she even drove me to furniture shops to help me choose and buy furniture etc
... this cost me nothing , she earned her commission split with the landlord's agent [ LL will have an agent , and tenant can have their own agent to act for them]. The agents are on commission only .. so you will need to stick with one [and they will really help you ]
Rents drop quite a bit as you get a bit further out from Orchard / River Valley / CBD areas.
Holland Village and BT areas are a bit family orientated ...BT in particular has a lot of good schools nearby .. but has only just been connected to the MRT ... and the route in to town is not that direct [rents are cheaper ..but not that many pubs / restaurants nearby except for the British Club [ which serves very good curry
]
The areas near Mt Faber /Kent rise [near Harbour Front ] .. have just come onto the MRT .. may be worth a look if you fancy being near the sea .. and within reasonable MRT journey of the centre ..same applies for some parts along the East Coast [but not all areas are near an MRT ]
Regarding your contract : one thing to bear in mind is that SG employment law is very "pro employer" with very little employee protection : this is another reason to have a UK signed contract [ Mine is SG based - but the business is an SG listed co. , so UK contract was not an option unfortunately ... though I do have a decent ex pat package ]
I live in D09 - 10 ( just off Orchard ) ...a short walk from the central MRT junction .. a very very convenient area: I walk to work , and can walk to most central places in 15-20 minuets , or 5 minutes on the MRT , very near a lot of the shops / pubs / restaurants and public parks
However you will not get a decent 2 bed place for $4k in this area .. unless it is located away from an MRT station / doesn't have the usual full condo facilities / or is HDB / or maybe in a good block but gets noise from a construction site next door
[ NOTE : check if there are any upcoming builds next door to where you rent !! - you may find a noisy condo project just starting next door after you move in ... pile driving 10 hours / day ]
I can put you in touch with an agent who helped me immensely when I arrived searching for a condo and negotiating the rent etc , ... she even drove me to furniture shops to help me choose and buy furniture etc
... this cost me nothing , she earned her commission split with the landlord's agent [ LL will have an agent , and tenant can have their own agent to act for them]. The agents are on commission only .. so you will need to stick with one [and they will really help you ]Rents drop quite a bit as you get a bit further out from Orchard / River Valley / CBD areas.
Holland Village and BT areas are a bit family orientated ...BT in particular has a lot of good schools nearby .. but has only just been connected to the MRT ... and the route in to town is not that direct [rents are cheaper ..but not that many pubs / restaurants nearby except for the British Club [ which serves very good curry
]The areas near Mt Faber /Kent rise [near Harbour Front ] .. have just come onto the MRT .. may be worth a look if you fancy being near the sea .. and within reasonable MRT journey of the centre ..same applies for some parts along the East Coast [but not all areas are near an MRT ]
Regarding your contract : one thing to bear in mind is that SG employment law is very "pro employer" with very little employee protection : this is another reason to have a UK signed contract [ Mine is SG based - but the business is an SG listed co. , so UK contract was not an option unfortunately ... though I do have a decent ex pat package ]
Let me follow up on alfa man's comments and my earlier post, I accept all that is said, that when you sign with a Sing listed company you get Sing law etc, and the restricetd rights, but what you can do is get he UK courts to take an interest, The UK courts do not like being excluded from hearing cases regarding British Citizens, and will in general try to get a reason to have juridction, an easy way is when you sign and date your contract you write, (your signitur?, London (date of signing).
It can be just enough to get the court involved, and while you may still have the forign law you will not have a prejudicial court hearing the case.
Now this only comes into play if the relationship with the employer had broken down, so it is a last resort, but you may find that the idea of going to court in the UK is just a litle help in solving the problem more to your liking.
On work permits ther eis a general requirment on an employer who applies for and gets your work permit to repatriate you to the country you where engaged in, so in the case of Sing, even if the employment law and the contract does not pay your repatriation cost, the work permit regulations may force it, and again this may help in a dispute.(note its only the people on their permit they have to repatriate, i.e you, wife, kids not your goods,or agirl friend on a social pass.
I work for a major player in Malaysia and have worked for 4 companies in the same group, each compnay gets its own work permit, 5 years ago, one company closed down and I had a period of gardening leave, but did not go back to the UK, but closing company's here is not easy, so to remove any liability for the company the consultants closing it down, wanted but to see an exit stamp so they did not have to pay my air fare if say I did somthing stupid and had to be deported, I just went to Thailand for the weekend, got a exit stamp and then they were no longer liable to send me back to the UK.
It can be just enough to get the court involved, and while you may still have the forign law you will not have a prejudicial court hearing the case.
Now this only comes into play if the relationship with the employer had broken down, so it is a last resort, but you may find that the idea of going to court in the UK is just a litle help in solving the problem more to your liking.
On work permits ther eis a general requirment on an employer who applies for and gets your work permit to repatriate you to the country you where engaged in, so in the case of Sing, even if the employment law and the contract does not pay your repatriation cost, the work permit regulations may force it, and again this may help in a dispute.(note its only the people on their permit they have to repatriate, i.e you, wife, kids not your goods,or agirl friend on a social pass.
I work for a major player in Malaysia and have worked for 4 companies in the same group, each compnay gets its own work permit, 5 years ago, one company closed down and I had a period of gardening leave, but did not go back to the UK, but closing company's here is not easy, so to remove any liability for the company the consultants closing it down, wanted but to see an exit stamp so they did not have to pay my air fare if say I did somthing stupid and had to be deported, I just went to Thailand for the weekend, got a exit stamp and then they were no longer liable to send me back to the UK.
East coast rocks. We live by marine parade and pay 4k for a 3bed 3bathroom place. Its 1400 sq ft. We love it. I take the bus into Clarke quay for work. Costs 2bucks. There are good cheap places to eat 2mins walk from where we live.
Places around here and siglap should have good deals......good mix of expats and locals......been here 10 months and love it......"will be staying here for at least 5 years!
Places around here and siglap should have good deals......good mix of expats and locals......been here 10 months and love it......"will be staying here for at least 5 years!
EDSEL1 said:
East coast rocks. We live by marine parade and pay 4k for a 3bed 3bathroom place. Its 1400 sq ft. We love it. I take the bus into Clarke quay for work. Costs 2bucks. There are good cheap places to eat 2mins walk from where we live.
Places around here and siglap should have good deals......good mix of expats and locals......been here 10 months and love it......"will be staying here for at least 5 years!
Probably just driven past your place, sorr about the noise Places around here and siglap should have good deals......good mix of expats and locals......been here 10 months and love it......"will be staying here for at least 5 years!
Have to get out for a beer some time... I am only 15 mins further east than you!
EDSEL1 said:
East coast rocks. We live by marine parade and pay 4k for a 3bed 3bathroom place. Its 1400 sq ft. We love it. I take the bus into Clarke quay for work. Costs 2bucks. There are good cheap places to eat 2mins walk from where we live.
Places around here and siglap should have good deals......good mix of expats and locals......been here 10 months and love it......"will be staying here for at least 5 years!
You've lost more watches, wallets and sunglasses than his budget for the year... Singapore is more expensive for you than anyone else Places around here and siglap should have good deals......good mix of expats and locals......been here 10 months and love it......"will be staying here for at least 5 years!
PS, for info chaps - I am single again now.
dom9 said:
PS, for info chaps - I am single again now.
Commiseration there Dom, sometimes the mental is too strong!!!Bing o said:
Can't say I find that information particularly useful.
Try heading to Tanjong Beach Club on a Sunday if that's your thing - always a good sausage fest for the 'european' side of you....
Harsh, but Try heading to Tanjong Beach Club on a Sunday if that's your thing - always a good sausage fest for the 'european' side of you....
Mana Mana can be quite good sometimes too, otherwise time to go hunting some expat's daughter at the american club or something
XJSJohn said:
time to go hunting some expat's daughter at the american club or something
Oh, god. You just remiinded me of the canadian girl I met on Saturday at my 'charidee' planning session:21. Works for an NGO as she felt law wasn't her bag. So young. So impressionable. So utterly stacked.
Sadly for me, I am taken, and also have a bit of a Tom Sellick going on as part of Mo'vember...
Bing o said:
XJSJohn said:
time to go hunting some expat's daughter at the american club or something
Oh, god. You just remiinded me of the canadian girl I met on Saturday at my 'charidee' planning session:21. Works for an NGO as she felt law wasn't her bag. So young. So impressionable. So utterly stacked.
Sadly for me, I am taken, and also have a bit of a Tom Sellick going on as part of Mo'vember...
Eta - how is it that we are able to bring every singa thread down to this level in one page?
LOL... I would say I am more likely to turn up to PH drinks now, but I have to quit the booze until my fight... Though I will be falling of the wagon in spectacular style at the HK7s, after that.
The mental was just too strong and Singapore is too small a place... No hunting any more North Americans or heading to TBC at the weekends!
I don't know how impressionable 21 year old girls survive in this place!
Have we put the OP off yet? I hope not, in all seriousness!
The mental was just too strong and Singapore is too small a place... No hunting any more North Americans or heading to TBC at the weekends!
I don't know how impressionable 21 year old girls survive in this place!
Have we put the OP off yet? I hope not, in all seriousness!
Bing o said:
XJSJohn said:
dom9 said:
I don't know how impressionable 21 year old girls survive in this place!
anyway, only 2 more days of looking like a paedo!!
Hi All,
Again thanks for all your reply’s!... and nope.. I haven’t been put off... yet! Ha!
Still waiting to hear about my full package, once I know I will post again and get your opinions if that’s ok?
If it all works out then I could be there early next year! Daunting!! Do you all have a regular meet up?
Thanks
Again thanks for all your reply’s!... and nope.. I haven’t been put off... yet! Ha!
Still waiting to hear about my full package, once I know I will post again and get your opinions if that’s ok?
If it all works out then I could be there early next year! Daunting!! Do you all have a regular meet up?
Thanks
Edited by CoffeeMate on Tuesday 29th November 22:14
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