To work in Singapore, you need an Employment Pass that your employer or local sponsor should apply for. The Ministry of Manpower issues 4 categories of employment passes (P1 Pass, P2 Pass, Q1 Pass, and the S Pass). The Employment Pass Self-Assessment Test that you need to take will gauge your qualification for the Employment Pass.
If you are not a Singapore citizen and wish to look for a job, you can apply for the Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC) which is submitted and processed only online, and has been in effect since 2 May 2007. EPEC grants the holder a Social Visit Pass with one-year validity period. The EPEC is issued on a one-time basis and is strictly non-renewable. You may apply for EPEC if you hold any of the selected university qualifications or if you are a current or former holder of selected skilled migrant visa. You should still have the relevant visa to enter Singapore, when a visa is required, even if you hold a valid EPEC.
Income Levels and Compensation Packages
Salary packages in Singapore are among the most competitive in the world. Most companies that employ foreign professionals provide local-term packages that include housing, cost of living allowances, and other benefits. One to two months of fixed bonuses are usually given by companies. Other bonuses that may amount from one to six months may also be given depending on the performance of the company or the employee. The National Wage Council also provides annual compensation guidelines based on the performance of the Singapore economy.
Monthly Gross Wage
In Singapore, the monthly gross wage includes overtime pay, commissions, allowances, and other regular cash payments. However, it excludes bonuses, productivity or incentive bonuses, other lump sum payments, and payments-in-kind.
Employee Benefits
It is typical for an expatriate compensation package to include insurance coverage. This covers life, personal accidents, and hospitalization. More than half of all employing companies provide medical coverage to the dependents of employees. Other typical benefits include housing, childcare, and payment of school fees. Some strategic rewards include job-related training, recreational facilities, transportation, and even entertainment allowances.
Stock-based plans are offered as long-term incentives for key employees. The most popular of these are stock options. Pharmaceutical, high-tech, and electronics manufacturing companies are known to give stock option plans.
Working Hours
Offices in Singapore commonly follow an eight-hour workday with a one-hour lunch break in between, and a workweek from Monday to Friday with half-day work on Saturday. Some companies have opted to stick to five-day workweeks, making the entire weekend free. The maximum weekly work-hour total is 44 hours.
Via singapore expats
