Cane Irresponsible Employers of Foreign Workers

PEOPLE & POWER: HUMAN TRADE



WITNESS: MIGRANT DREAMS

Part I



Part II



Afterthoughts:

1. Some years ago, the leading broadsheet of Singapore dedicated a whole section to foreign workers who had prospered in Singapore and returned to their respective countries to build beautiful homes and families. That story, as these documentaries show, has now changed.

2. What is even more shocking is the regulator's reaction to such mistreatment of foreign workers. The documentaries portray them as a manipulated eunuch. They come across as powerless. They appear to have failed to discharge their duty as guardians of these workers. They seem unsuccessful in protecting Singapore's reputation as a responsible state.

3. An example should be made of irresponsible employers, who allegedly lace their pockets with the debts of these foreign workers and put to risk hundreds or thousands of lives beyond the shores of Singapore.

4. Singapore was quick to introduce corporal punishment to stem the inflow of illegal immigrants into Singapore. The government says it has worked. Perhaps, employers who irresponsibly bring into Singapore workers but have no jobs for them should be treated the same.

Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav

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Review Your Employment Contracts

In the past months, at least two friends have approached me about their employment contracts.

They told me, "I am not covered by the Employment Act. How?"

As they held management positions with their base pay exceeding S$2,500.00, they were right.

From the website of the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore:

"The Employment Act covers every employee (regardless of nationality) who is under a contract of service with an employer, except:
a) Any person employed in a managerial or executive * position
(However, managers and executives earning $2,500 basic monthly salary and below are covered for the purpose of salary protection. All other provisions do not apply to them);
b) Any seaman;
c) Any domestic worker; and
d) Any person employed by a Statutory Board or the Government.

Part IV of the Act, which provides for rest days, hours of work and other conditions of service, applies only to:
a) Workmen earning not more than $4,500 basic monthly salaries and
b) Employees earning not more than $2,000 basic monthly salaries."

This does not mean that people like my friends above have no rights. Their rights are usually determined by the employment contract executed between their respective employers and them.

This is why the employment contract is a serious document. I am surprised by the numbers of people who give scant attention to their employment document.

Perhaps, people rush into executing their employment contracts because it is very difficult for job offers to come by in a negative economic climate. But that's really a bad excuse for throwing the baby out with the water!

Before signing an employment contract:

1. Ask for a copy of it to be sent to you in advance.

2. Do some research on what the market practice is, in relation to the particular industry you have applied for.

3. Seek independent legal advice.

4. Propose amendments to the employment contract, if necessary.

5. Make sure you are protected. Secure a 'win-win' employment contract.

6. Review your employment contracts with your employer at the end of your probation period, if they decide to keep you.

Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav

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Job Offered: Legal Roles

EMPLOYER

The employer is a boutique litigation outfit in the Central Business District, Singapore.

POSITION

Legal Secretary

Requirements:
(skills, knowledge, relevant experience, qualification, etc.)
- Legal work experience will be advantageous
- Diploma in law or any other equivalent qualification
- Fresh school-leavers welcomed to apply

Paralegal / Legal Executive

Requirements:
(skills, knowledge, relevant experience, qualification, etc.)
- Work experience in litigation / dispute resolution will be advantageous
- Degree in law but unable to practise in Singapore
- Fresh school-leavers with good grades welcomed to apply

WHAT TO DO

If you meet the criteria AND are interested to apply, please e-mail me a copy of your resume. Please identify the position you are applying for. Subject to your suitability for the position, I will forward it on to the relevant employer for an initial assessment. My e-mail address is in the "I am" section on the right.

Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav

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Job Offered: Compliance Manager

This is an urgent vacancy with a top company in the financial sector.

EMPLOYER

An important global player, with a total headcount of 214 044 worldwide, whose ambition is to attain leadership in its core financial protection business.

POSITION

Compliance Manager

DUTIES

1. Responsible for assisting the HOD in ensuring
    • market conduct issues are adequately dealt with.
    • all companies comply with the regulatory and industry requirements
    • all reporting requirements are met for all companies

2. Companies covered include asset management arm, financial services arm, life insurance arm etc.

REQUIREMENTS
(skills, knowledge, relevant experience, qualification, etc.)

• Bachelor's degree in an analytical subject
• Proficient in spoken and written English
• Preferably proficient in Mandarin
• Competent in use of MS office applications (inclusive of Access software)
• Preferably some experience in compliance or internal/external audit work
• Familiar with the relevant regulations and guidelines.

WHAT TO DO

If you meet the criteria AND are interested to apply, please e-mail me a copy of your resume. Please identify the position you are applying for. Subject to your suitability for the position, I will forward it on to the relevant employer for an initial assessment. My e-mail address is in the "I am" section on the right.

Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav

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Persuading Employers

I have just made an individual pledge to this wonderful private-sector initiative to beat the downturn. Add yours today!

In light of my own pledge, I have had applications from several highly qualified and talented candidates for some of the more recent roles made available here. 

They have not been able to secure jobs on the basis that they are "over-qualified".

What the employer really means is: "I want to give you this job but I am not convinced that you will remain with me as soon as the market turns for the better."

At the outset, candidates in such situations have an uphill task in persuading employers to take them onboard.

Most I meet haven't really thought about how to address this. Others see this as not their responsibilty to address.

As a result, they end up being invited for many interviews but not securing a position (until the market conditions improve).

Such candidates must take greater personal responsibility for their application. I encourage such candidates as follows:

1. Do not send in applications, unless you can see yourself in the job for at least 2-5 years and you accept that the role will actually help you develop as a person.

2. When you meet the employer, explain your commitment to the role as being part of your 5-year plan, and highlight how you see yourself adding value to the employer in the years to come.

3. Underscore to the employer that it should be a 'win-win' process. Acknowledge the limitations of the employer but impress upon the employer how they can still make a difference to your career. Usually, such employers cannot pay high salaries but they make up for it with training opportunities and less stressful working environments. Simply put, make the most of what is available to you.

If you have seriously thought about the role and addressed your "over-qualification" with the right level of humility, you will win over most employers and they will you make an offer of employment.

Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav

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Job Offered: Conference Producer

If you desire objectively measurable performance indicators, intellectual stimulation, the opportunity to meet senior managers on a peer basis, excellent promotion prospects and attractive financial rewards, this job is for you.

EMPLOYER

Established leader in the business intelligence and conference industry. With over 30 years' of international expertise and an expanding network of offices spanning 12 countries and 5 continents, the employer is a highly regarded and preferred provider of quality business information in both emerging and established industry sectors via conferences, training courses, workshops, seminars, distance learning courses, in-house sessions and managed events for leading international companies and governments.

POSITION

Conference Producer
(Maritime & Commodities Division)

DUTIES

• Researching the viability of conference topics
• Contacting the target market through phone, desk research and meetings to determine what subjects are needed by the market
• Researching in detail the conference program and putting together a complete draft program
• Contacting potential speakers, mainly by phone, and recruiting them onto the program
• Creating an advisory board, if deemed necessary
• Working with the chairman and speakers and sponsors of the conference to get them to promote the event
• Monitoring the quality of the speakers’ presentations
• Writing promotional copy for letter and brochure and seeing them through typesetting
• Writing focused letters to targeted groups of people to promote the event, in conjunction with marketing pre-mailers
• Working with the marketing departments to ensure that they are targeting the right market
• Running the conference on the day and in particular looking after the speakers
• Arriving at 7.30 am on Day 1 and 8.00am on Day 2 of the conference
• Writing thank you letters to the speakers and sending gifts as appropriate
• Constantly searching for new conference topics
• Speaking in public as necessary for the person to give a brief opening address to introduce the Chairperson
• Dealing with turnover from potential speakers
• Maintaining appropriate records and files for each conference
• Identifying strengths and weaknesses of competitors events through reading brochures and speaking to competitive speakers
• Negotiating speaker fees and expenses and staying within guidelines set down by Divisional Manager
• Working with the speakers and chairman and sponsors to find leads and liaise with Exhibition and Sales managers appropriately

REQUIREMENTS
(skills, knowledge, relevant experience, qualification, etc.)

• Can proof-read effectively and mark up proofs clearly
• Graduate with at least 2-3 years commercial experience.
• Key skills in copywriting, communications, ability to grasp technical information and project management.
• Commercially minded and entrepreneurial individual with proven communication and research skills.
• Highly motivated self starter

WHAT TO DO

If you meet the criteria AND are interested to apply, please e-mail me a copy of your resume. Please identify the position you are applying for. Subject to your suitability for the position, I will forward it on to the relevant employer for an initial assessment. My e-mail address is in the "I am" section on the right.

Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav

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