Rejected E Pass

Hi,

We've just opened our Singapore branch last November and they hired me to  post there as a Design Engineer Coordinator. So, from our company branch here in the Phil, I will be transferred to Singapore to facilitate better trade and communication between the two (2) offices with both foreign employees. You see, our clients are in Singapore, but our designers are based here in the Phil-just like any other outsourcing companies.

The thing is, my 1st attempt for an E pass application was rejected dated December 6. MOM didn't specified the reason aside from saying that they assess applications based on salary and qualifications. I have been working for 2.5 years already, 1.5 years of which I've been working for my current employer. Our branch in Singapore offered me a 4k SGD rate but still, my Epass application still got rejected. Also, our line of business if a highly specialized one, and it does really requires thorough training if ever our branch there hires a local.

I've suggested to our Gen Mgr that we file an appeal. I've read that an appeal stating reasons why there's a need for them to hire a foreigner would help them reassess my application. I am thinking, that they could state on the appeal that I was hired for the job mainly because I am a Filipino, and that I could relay the design work requirements better to our Filipino designers unlike now that we're really having so much trouble because of some misunderstandings and misinterpretations on the information that our foreign sales rep is relaying to us.

Because there's really a need for me to post there immediately, my employer is suggesting that I go there at SG as a tourist first, and then, go back to the Phil when duration of stay expires- stay at Phil for 2 weeks and then back again at SG. But my worry is that, because I have a history of a rejected Epass, I might be put on hold at the immigration and deny entry, worst, will be permanently disallowed to enter SG. Whew!

My question is that, can I do that? Stay at SG to work for a at most a month, then be back often, even with a history of rejected E pass while we are still to file an appeal? Is there any way that I can work at SG legally, while appeal is on-going? I mean, maybe our employer can inform MOM through a letter that they needed me for the job and that they can request me to stay there while they are still assessing my application?

Another thing is that,our second option is for them to apply me for an S pass. However, since we've just opened our branch, we've not yet hired 4 Singaporeans as required. So that would mean, our agony will be prolonged again for another 3 months of waiting. Jeez.

Any thoughts on these stuffs? It will be vey much appreciated. Thanks a lot!