Why Singapore?
Any foreigner that wishes to live and work in Singapore will be required to secure a relevant work pass. The work pass is valid over a certain period, renewable and bestowed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). There are a few available work pass options, each with their own minimum salary level, qualification and job type.
In 2011, the total foreign workforce in Singapore, excluding foreign domestic and construction workers, was 699,100. In 2012, the figure grew to 731,300 and and in 2013, 748,100 (6). Based on these statistics and contrary to popular belief, the professional foreign workforce is still increasing and the government is receptive to the idea of a foreign workforce to support and sustaining the competivity of the Singapore economy.
However lucrative this may sound, MOM has enforced a justification ruling to employers to first consider Singaporeans before anyone else. In September 2013, MOM announced plans for a Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) and employers have to first advertise their job vacancies on a ‘portal’ (7) which must run for at least 14 calender days (8). This ruling will be enforced from 1st August 2014 onwards.
Citations
6- https://www.mom.gov.sg/statistics-publications/others/statistics/Pages/ForeignWorkforceNumbers.aspx
7 – https://www.jobsbank.gov.sg/
8 – https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/Pages/PressReleasesDetail.aspx?listid=523
Immigration (ɪmɪˈɡreɪʃn) — n
the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country.
“a barrier to control immigration from India”