You can find a 14-minute pre-departure instruction video about common problems related to the recruitment process, and your rights and obligations as a foreign worker in Singapore here. It is also available in Mandarin, Tamil and Bengali. The video has been released in 2014 by the Ministry of Manpower and the Migrant Worker Centre. Based on the video, the most important tips related to the recruitment process and salary payments are the following:
- Do not overpay your home country recruitment agent.
- You must receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower before departure in your native language. Do not accept monthly salaries below, nor deductions for board and lodging higher than the amount stated in the IPA letter.
- Do not pay your Singapore employment agency more than one month salary for each year of work. Do not pay for more than two years (two months salary) at the same time.
- Make sure to receive a receipt for all payments to your employment agency.
- You must receive your salary at the end of each month.
- Do not sign on blank salary vouchers. Do not sign any receipts before having actually received your salary.
- You must be paid for working overtime, on rest days or public holidays.
- You may not be sent home without having received all salary payments or without being reimbursed for other costs such as medical expenses.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is responsible for foreign workers’ recruitment and employment policies and a contact point in case you experience employment-related problems during your stay in Singapore. On its website, you can find brochures providing additional information such as the “Guide for Foreign Workers” in English and Malay, Bengali and Tamil, and Mandarin and Thai.
The Migrant Workers’ Centre collaborates with the MOM and is an interesting contact point for migrants living in Singapore, which does not only provide advice, (legal) assistance and shelter in case you encounter problems during your stay in Singapore, but also organises events to facilitate migrants’ (social) integration. Other organisations dedicated to the well-being of foreign workers in Singapore that could be contacted in case any problems arise, are HealthServe and TWC2.
Additional information for professionals or highly-skilled individuals who are interested in working in Singapore can be found here.