EP and S-Pass for Malaysian Vs. other ASEAN nationals

Member since 22 October 2021

Logix FicsarioMember22 October 2021 15:06:59

Hi,
I am Logix and would like to ask some things regarding EP and S-pass.

My situation:
- I am Indonesian and 27 years old.
- Got a job offer from a reputable MNC company.
- Employer applied for S-pass.
- Offered basic salary is SGD 5100.
- I have 2.5 years of work experience.
- A relevant Bachelor + Ph.D. education qualifications that are recognized in MOM system.
- Applied on 28/9/2021, and MOM result = Rejected on 22/10/2021.
- Appealing soon.

My comment:
*Based on MOM work pass general descriptions on the website, yes I am aware I am fully qualified for EP.
*But, MOM SAT tool shows that I am ONLY eligible for an S-pass (that's why my employer applied for that).
*Result stays the same even when I playfully & separately changed my (relevant) work experience to 10 years and salary to SGD 6000 monthly. Above SGD 6000, EP was recommended for me.
*I also playfully input the nationality section as Filipino, Vietnamese, Myanmar, and Thai. Recommended visa stays as S-pass.
*However, when I changed my nationality to Malaysian in SAT tool with my original salary (RM5100), even at 0 years of (relevant) work experience, it shows eligibility for both EP and S-pass.

What are these biases and double standards?
Anyone encounter this before or can enlighten me?

beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

Member since 08 August 2010

Germany & Singapore Expert

beppiGermany/Singapore Expert22 October 2021 19:52:29

15584

Interesting to know that the different standards for Malaysian and other nationalities are now finally reflected in the SAT - they did exist before, as some forum discussions show.
(I wonder when, if ever, they will also include the inofficial fact that applicants of Chinese ancestry are preferred ...)
In any case, with a Ph.D. and work experience, you are underpaid at just S$5100/month. That does not change by applying for S-Pass (which is not meant for your type). So I am afraid your appeal might be unsuccessful, unless the employer changes the salary to at least S$6000 - as the SAT suggests.

Logix Ficsario Member

Member since 22 October 2021

Logix FicsarioMember25 October 2021 10:05:39

Hi beppi,

Thanks for your input. Appreciate it.
I just found out the reason for the rejection is:
“ [i]the work pass is for the foreigner to work as an employee for the direct employer only and not to work for another company”[/i].

My company does use a third party recruiter to apply for the work pass as they do not have an HR department.

I have tried to search here and there if anyone encountered this before but no luck. It would be great if anyone can give their input on this.

Thanks in advance.

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beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

Member since 08 August 2010

Germany & Singapore Expert

beppiGermany/Singapore Expert25 October 2021 14:14:36

15584

This is the standard wording if MoM thinks that you will not actually work for the company that is applying for your work pass (which of course is illegal).