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 Working in Singapore v6, Where maids carry bags for boys

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seantang
post Apr 8 2011, 08:28 PM

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QUOTE(perkinsonline @ Apr 8 2011, 07:58 PM)
Hello friends,

I'll be joining you all working in this little plot of land.

I'm not looking forward to it. Worked in Japan, Taiwan, China and now finally the place i dread to be in Singapoor.

Singapore maybe rich in money but seriously they are poor; theres no land and I feel its so cramped here.
*
You don't feel cramped in Japan but you do in Singapore?
seantang
post Apr 9 2011, 02:01 AM

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QUOTE(alaskanbunny @ Apr 9 2011, 12:22 AM)
some1 pls help me... i got a quick question... can an ep pass holder with no sg driving license but having msia driving license drive a sg registered car? sad.gif

If you reside in Singapore (ie. your residential address is in SG), you need a SG licence to drive any car. The only exception are foreigners who reside in Singapore (ie. non-citizens / non-PRs. All pass & permit holders are foreigners) have 12 months grace.

QUOTE(Traffic Police)
To drive a vehicle in Singapore, you must possess a valid Singapore driving licence for the class of vehicle that you want to drive. This requirement applies to all citizens and permanent residents of Singapore and also foreigners who are residing in Singapore for more than twelve (12) months. Foreigners who reside here for less than twelve (12) months must possess a valid foreign licence and International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by an authorised body in their country of origin e.g. the Automobile Association (AA). If an International Driving Permit is not available, an official translation of your foreign licence in English is required. Drivers from ASEAN member countries only need to possess a valid driving licence issued by the relevant driving licence Authority in order to drive in Singapore without IDP.

Licensing requirement

Which country the car is registered in has nothing to do with what licence the driver must possess. The registration of the car, along with your status as either a visitor/tourist or work pass holder, determines how long the car can remain in or how often it must leave Singapore.

QUOTE(LTA)
VISITORS

If you drive a foreign-registered vehicle, you have to acquire an Autopass Card (a vehicle entry permit) at either Woodlands or Tuas Checkpoint arrival zones before entering Singapore.

From 1 June 2005, all drivers of foreign registered cars and motorcycles can drive into Singapore for a maximum of 10 days in each calendar year without having to pay VEP fees.

After the 10 VEP free days have been utilized, VEP fees for subsequent days are chargeable if you continue to use or drive your foreign-registered car or motorcycle during VEP operating hours.

WORK PASSES

Any work pass holder, who is neither a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) nor a resident of Singapore, may drive a foreign-registered car and motorcycle in Singapore only if ALL these conditions are met:
a) he is the registered owner of the vehicle ;
b) he resides outside Singapore;
c) the vehicle is kept or used outside Singapore for a total period of 6 hours or more everyday ;
d) he has a valid insurance certificate and road tax for the use of the vehicle on Singapore roads ; and
e) the vehicle has an Autopass Card to validate its entry/exit at Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints and for payment of Vehicle Entry Permit/Toll charges.

Please note that a work pass holder who is also a SPR or resident of Singapore is not allowed to drive a foreign-registered vehicle in Singapore.

Driving in & out of Singapore


This post has been edited by seantang: Apr 9 2011, 02:14 AM
seantang
post Apr 10 2011, 01:52 PM

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If you want to do it online, CIMB Sg to CIMB My is free. MBB Sg to MBB My is $15. If you use your CIMB Sg or MBB Sg ATM card to withdraw money in My, it's free. But the e/rate is a bank rate, which is generally not as good as money changer. There are exceptions though like CNY this year when MBB's rate was a full 2 sen per S$ better than money changer.

$2K is small money, Just withdraw from ATM and bring it back to a money changer in Sg or My.
seantang
post Apr 10 2011, 08:11 PM

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QUOTE(alaskanbunny @ Apr 10 2011, 07:18 PM)
although free but does CIMB offer competitive rates?

Unless you enquire at every bank on the same day, you'll never know for sure. My experience is that banks will converge on the daily inter bank rate. Possibly a bit better for CIMB and MBB as they might reduce or even eliminate their margin spread as it's intercompany. My feel is that CIMB is out to gain business as they are a new player in Sg, so they will not make themselves less competitive vs other banks. Otherwise their Starsaver savings account will not pay interest more than double that of MBB's iSavvy and SC's eSaver.
seantang
post Apr 10 2011, 09:24 PM

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QUOTE(perkinsonline @ Apr 10 2011, 08:51 PM)
Any how many percent does the government take for taxes and cpf per month?
*
Easily found at IRAS and CPF's websites.
seantang
post Apr 10 2011, 10:53 PM

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A is for those who get homesick easily, like to live with their parents and go mamak. Basically status quo. But guess what, unless you're significantly above average, your salary's not going to get much more than tht.

B is the choice for those who have a maximum net savings objective. Lower tax and better exchange rate than Malaysia. Same cost of living (S$ for RM if you can see the logic of HDB flat = terrace house in MY, as the mainstream middle-class accommodation). I would also venture that the MNC in SG is a regional operation while it's a country operation in MY. So the opportunities for promotion would be higher in SG.

C is for those who die-die must live with their former colonial masters. The GBP has lost much of its former strength. With the taxes and living costs in UK, this is probably the most "living like a Bangla" option of the 3.

This post has been edited by seantang: Apr 10 2011, 10:55 PM
seantang
post Apr 11 2011, 10:36 PM

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MNCs typically have no MVC. But every time there's a restructuring... you better watch your back. I've been in my company 11 years... gone through 2 M&As and 2 CEO changes. Right this minute, my biz unit has merged with another 3 biz units. All of a sudden, we have 4 people in every job/role... although now the unit is now large enough to support 2, maybe 3... but definitely not 4.
seantang
post Apr 14 2011, 10:08 AM

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I checked Yahoo... S$ is >RM2.40 this morning. Interest rates for savings accounts should go up. Property buyers with heavy loans should seriously re-evaluate their holding power.

QUOTE
SINGAPORE-ECONOMY/POLICY (UPDATE 1)

* Raises centre of policy band in moderate tightening

* Says 2011 CPI to be at upper end of +3-4 pct forecast

* Q1 GDP grew faster-than-expected 8.5 pct from year-ago

* Singapore dollar hits new record high vs US dollar

Forexyard
seantang
post Apr 14 2011, 11:39 AM

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QUOTE(ray86 @ Apr 14 2011, 10:57 AM)
why is the article dated 16th April?
*
SINGAPORE, April 14 (Reuters). Looks okay to me.
seantang
post Apr 14 2011, 10:52 PM

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QUOTE(ch_teo @ Apr 14 2011, 10:33 PM)
have been observing every day since around 3 weeks ago. keep appreciating.
sg gov is preventing hiking of inflation.

Saw a note from Citi today that they estimate the impact to be around 200 basis points. Sold most of my US shares a few weeks ago and locked in the exch/rate then. Turned out to be a good decision. Will probably move those funds into SPH, M1 and Starhub to lock in the 7% dividend. Property... sellers still too stubborn with prices. Maybe this interest rate hike will soften their resolve. Also time to move some cash back to Malaysia.

Btw, anyone bought Digi shares? Know why it's going so strong... almost touching RM30 already! On the other hand Maxis is barely moving despite the high dividend yield.

This post has been edited by seantang: Apr 14 2011, 10:54 PM
seantang
post Apr 14 2011, 11:22 PM

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QUOTE(reign226 @ Apr 14 2011, 11:07 PM)
Seantang maybe Digi is reinvesting their profits for growth in stock prices, while Maxis is maintaining a stable stock price with high dividend payouts? Just my 2 sen.

Digi's dividend yield is as high as Maxis, even at 30 bucks. I bought when it was 22, and my dividend yield is more than 10%. Just can't convince myself to buy at 30.

Added on April 14, 2011, 11:29 pm
QUOTE(bellion @ Apr 14 2011, 11:19 PM)
Take care with investing in Starhub stock for the high dividend yield - there's doubts whether it can realistically sustain such payouts in the near and medium term.

That's the conclusion if you look at profit/earnings. Starhub's projected EPS is less than 20c per share. But dividends come from retained earnings, not profits. As long as its free cash flow is sufficient, it can pay that dividend with no adverse impact to operations and deplete retained earnings. It's akin to a slow motion capital repayment. Starhub's projected free cash flow is 26c per share, more than enough to pay their 20c dividend and have left over cash to invest.

This post has been edited by seantang: Apr 14 2011, 11:29 PM
seantang
post Apr 15 2011, 12:04 AM

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QUOTE(perkinsonline @ Apr 15 2011, 12:01 AM)
Try looking at:

http://www.flathub.com
http://www.easyroommate.com.sg
I'm looking for a place too but its hard to get a proper place. I am also moving to Singapore by the end of this month.

When I mean proper I mean a room with:

1.Air conditioning
2.Internet
3. Allowed cooking .....I'm a vegetarian and cook same thing always.....

Internet... so much easier to get your own, rather than insist on the landlord providing it. I just renewed a 12 month mobile broadband contract with Singtel at $18.50 per month for a 2mbps 3G service.

Aircond, same thing. I negotiated a $100 per month reduction in rental if I buy my own aircond. After 2 years, if I move, landlord keeps the aircond. You can buy a very good aircond for much less than $2400.

This post has been edited by seantang: Apr 15 2011, 12:05 AM
seantang
post Apr 15 2011, 12:28 AM

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QUOTE(perkinsonline @ Apr 15 2011, 12:19 AM)
Good idea!!

Aircond problem solved...

But lets say if I dont want 3G internet...I want broadband as I am heavy downloader...

If i get a landline internet when I move can I move it too?

I dont like 3G...its slow as hell ler...

3G is broadband. I'm on just 2mbps and I can dl a gb in 1.5 hours if there are lots of seeds. Mobile bb speeds go up to 14.4mbps at Singtel and 21mbps at Starhub.

Granted, the bandwidth might not be as constant as cable, but unless you're gaming and need minimum latency, it's not a big issue.

But you can do cable. If the room has an existing cable tv point (for Starhub), then Starhub's cable service is a no brainer. But if there's no existing cable point or you want Singtel's cable bb, then it involves laying some cables, drilling, nailing etc... most landlords will not tolerate that if you're only renting a room.
seantang
post Apr 15 2011, 12:54 AM

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QUOTE(perkinsonline @ Apr 15 2011, 12:41 AM)
Whats the most minimum work broadband other than 3G internet?

Besides cable and wireless, what other technology is there?

QUOTE(perkinsonline)
What 3G internet package are u using now?

Singtel mobile broadband. All 3 telcos have mobile broadband.
seantang
post Apr 15 2011, 01:30 PM

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QUOTE(giorgene @ Apr 15 2011, 10:49 AM)
All, I went to interview with a local sg engineering company, the position is to based in thailand, my working experience is almost 4 years (since july07), accommodation, transportation and lunch provided, 4 trips (return flight ticket) back to sg/my a year, what is the salary I should I ask for? In SGD

Since Singapore pays the highest salaries these days except for Tokyo, Seoul and maybe, just maybe Taipei... basing your Thai package on the equivalent Sg salary of that position is a good start.

If an equivalent person in that capacity earn S$5000 a month, that's a reasonable starting point. The employer CPF contributions should continue too.

On top of that, I would ask for a foreign hardship allowance... say S$100 per diem each day (ie. S$3000 per month). The higher/lower your base salary, you need to adjust the amount to reflect the seniority of your position. I think 50-75% of your Singapore salary is quite reasonable.

Lastly, demand for 100% tax protection in Thailand ie. you should not pay any Thai taxation. If they negotiate, don't go below the equivalent Singapore tax, as if you had earned that salary in Singapore. The foreign allowance must be made tax free to you.

Also, negotiate for things like settling in allowances (ie. a cash allowance to help you settle down eg. to buy stuff like electrical goods, pay deposits for phone/broadband etc, open bank accounts, buy car etc.) and golden handshakes (ie. if you leave the company while you're in Thailand, the company will compensate you). At the very least, the company needs to pay for you and all your belongings etc to be moved back to Singapore.
seantang
post Apr 15 2011, 03:07 PM

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QUOTE(perkinsonline)
My friend told that the Taiwanese companies seriously work you dumb, meaning they really squeeze you dry off your energy. Well, thats what I heard.

Never a good idea to generalise like that, especially if you need to make decisions on that info. Particularly if it's 2nd, 3rd, 4th hand based on 1 friend, 2 relatives, 3 friend's friend and the such.
seantang
post Apr 15 2011, 07:48 PM

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QUOTE(giorgene @ Apr 15 2011, 03:19 PM)
Tax will be covered by company, as I'm not pr, so company will not pay for the cpf. They will provide sgd 1 k allowance, and because of that they cannot offer me my last drawn basic salary.

Then what's the point? What's the endgame of moving? A few hundred bucks extra from not having to pay for rental and some meals? That's setting your sights pretty low, isn't it?

Dropping everything and moving to Thailand involves significant personal cost (not just financial, but also physical, inconvenience, emotional, relationships and security... not only yours but that of your family if they happen to need you and you're not available). One should be well compensated for that cost.
seantang
post Apr 15 2011, 10:54 PM

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QUOTE(Lester1987 @ Apr 15 2011, 10:29 PM)
For those who wanna change SGD to RM. I just changed in JB, the rate is $1 = RM2.407. slightly lower than wawasan in Mid Valley but i think its better than those in SG
Maybank2u.sg rate right now is 2.394. So the difference in yield is RM13 less for every S$1000 sold. About 0.5% loss.
seantang
post Apr 15 2011, 11:21 PM

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QUOTE(r1v3r @ Apr 15 2011, 11:08 PM)
Fiber. Opennet just installed optical fiber for amk area not too long ago. All 3 telco offer package on the fiber. Good for heavy user.

Fibre... optic... cable.
seantang
post Apr 16 2011, 10:45 AM

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QUOTE(Semper Fi @ Apr 15 2011, 10:36 PM)
Was curious, do u guys go out for lunch everyday wiv ur workmates?As u knw itz not cheap to eat xpecially for those workin in a foreign land.V nid to save n etc.But sumtimes hvta entertain ur colleagues oso as u certainly dun wanna be called outcast.
Sumtimes itz unavoidable,mind to shed sum lights on dis?

Trust me. You NEED to socialise with your colleagues. You don't have to be their best friend and babysit their kids etc, but you have to develop rapport and a sense of ease when dealing with each other.

Lunch is the easiest way to do so.

Besides, even in Orchard Road, you can get away with a $5 lunch at the food courts.
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