snippets of info : salary package

Salary package... now this is a touchy subject. But it's seemingly the most asked question to me lately.

I won't be disclosing my salary here, since i find that unethical (and I'm also bound by a confidentiality contract).

I would just like to share the several salary packages I encountered while I was job-hunting here in SG. I hope this might help future jobhunters weigh their options.

Basically there are two types of employment:

1. Direct hire
Those hired directly by the company they are working for.

2. Contractual (a.k.a. via Agency)
Those hired by an employment agency and will be deployed to a client company.

Direct hires usually have a lower salary compared to contractual employees. This might sound puzzling for others, but there is actually a good reason behind it. Direct hires have company benefits while contractual employees on the other hand do not have any. Usual benefits include:
- 13th month pay
- health and life insurance
- annual bonus
- paid leaves

Contractual employees are hired by employment agencies and are then sent to client companies. They usually stay in that company for 1 or 2 years then move-on to other companies, unless their contracts are renewed by their current client company. The higher pay given to them is to compensate for their lack of company benefits.

Each type has it's pros's and con's, depending on each person's preferences. If you're the type who gets sick often in a year, #1 is the way to go. Medical expenses here are awfully high! If you're the type who likes to save a lot of money, and doesn't get sick regularly, go with option #2. If you value job security, go with option #1. If you like trying out new companies every year, go with #2.

If you're thinking of being a Permanent Resident here in SG, option #1 is better for you. Permanent Residents MUST contribute 33% of their monthly income to their CPF (forced savings). If you're a direct hire, 20 of the 33% will be shouldered by your company. If you're a contractual employee, you have to shoulder all of the 33% (ouch!)

I'm not so sure if there are "hybrid" versions out there, but these are the ones I have encountered.

I guess my advice would be to not just look at the money you'll be getting every month. Try to also assess what other benefits the company could give you that will best fit your lifestyle.

snippets of info : Applying for an LTSVP using your EPEC

When you're finally in Singapore and your initial 30-day social visit pass is nearly elapsed, the next step is to get a Long Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP) using your EPEC. If you don't have an EPEC yet, go here to find out how to get one.

Applying for a LTSVP is a 2-day process, so be sure to apply several days before your social visit pass expires.

DAY 1

Preconditions:

(what you must have before doing "Procedures")

1. original copy of your EPEC

This is the physical copy mailed to you by M.O.M. when your EPEC was approved online.

2. your passport

3. your disembarkation/embarkation card

This is the white card you filled up while you were on the plane bound for SG:

Disembarkation/Embarkation card

4. a photocopy of your EPEC
This copy will be kept by ICA.

5. a photocopy of your passport
Photocopy the page with your picture and personal details. This copy will be kept by ICA.
A photocopy machine is available on every floor of the ICA building. I forgot to check the price per copy though... sorry... :)

6. 1 passport-size picture
This will be attached to your Form 14. If you don't have one, you can have your picture taken inside the ICA building. Each floor of the building has a "instant photo room". 4 copies for 5SGD.

7. Accomplished Form 14
You can download the document in the ICA website. The form is also available in ICA, near the 4th floor elevators.

8. OPTIONAL: A really good/long book or a PSP or anything that can amuse you for a long period of time. (that is wholesome and legal in singapore.... :) )


Procedures:
1. Go to ICA
The ICA building is near the Lavander MRT Station of the East-West (Green) line. Just follow the directional arrows provided in the station (e.i. : "This way to ICA ->")

once outside of Lavander MRT station, walk a few steps and you'll see the ICA building

2. Proceed to the 4th floor
There are 2 ways to go to the 4th floor, each with it's own advantage/disadvantage:
a. Via Escalator
If you already have your photocopies, picture, and form 14, I suggest you take the escalators since it is closer to the 'Q' machines

b. Via Elevator
The trays for Form 14 is near the elevator. Also a few steps from the elevator are the "instant photo room" and "photocopy room".

3. Get a Form 14 from the trays near the elevator, fill-up the necessary requirements, paste/staple your picture.

4. Go to the 'Q' (as in queue) machines, lane #4 (labelled: Application for Social Visit Pass). Let the machine read the barcode in your embarkation/disembarkation card. The Q machine will give you a number. Obviously, you have to keep this number, as this will be used later.

my Q ticket. This will be cut in half once the documents are submitted

5. Go to the "Social Visit Wing". It's a few steps away from the Q machines. Take a seat as this is a REALLY LONG WAIT. This is where your optional item of amusement will come in handy. I would also suggest you seat near counters 28-38 as these are the counters that serve SVP applications.

6. Wait for your queue number to appear on the board. There is also a board there that tells you the average waiting time for applications. In my case it said 93 minutes. DO NOT BELIEVE that damn board. I waited for almost 3 hours (2hours, 59minutes to be exact). If you don't like to sit there and wait, you can have someone SMS you when your queue number is about to be serviced. So basically, you can walk around the lavander/kallang area... (not much to see though) For that feature do this:

text "VSC " and send to (+65)9070-6100

It will immediately reply indicating the current status of your queue number, and later on, SMS you when there are only 20 people ahead of you in the queue.

7. Once you see your number on the board, go to the counter assigned to your q number.

8. Give your q ticket, accomplished Form 14, passport, disembarkation/embarkation card, EPEC, photocopied EPEC and passport particulars page. The person at the counter will give you back your original EPEC and the other half of your Q ticket. You'll be advised to claim your passport the next day.
NOTE: DO NOT THROW your Q ticket. you will use this the following day to get a new Q ticket.

9. Go out of ICA building.


Postconditions:
(what you must have after doing "Procedures")
1. original copy of your EPEC

2. your Q ticket

===END OF DAY 1====



DAY 2
Preconditions:
(what you must have after doing "Procedures")
1. Your Q ticket from DAY 1
You'll need this to get a new Q number.

2. NETS or CashCard or EZ-Link card
You'll need this to pay 20SGD for the visa fee. They DO NOT ACCEPT CASH(they don't like touching money, remember?!), so be sure you have any of these 3(of course, loaded with more than 20SGD)


Procedures:
1. Go to ICA

2. Proceed to the 4th floor
Since your just there to get your documents, use the escalator, it's closer to the Q machines.

3. Go to the Q machines, this time. go to lane #3. Let the machine read the barcode in your Q ticket from DAY 1. The Q machine will give you a number. Obviously, you have to keep this number, as this will be used later.

4. Go to the "Social Visit Wing", a few steps away from the Q machines. This time take a seat near counters 43-48 as these are the counters that are dedicated for releasing documents.

5. Wait for your queue number to appear on the board. There is also a board there that tells you the average waiting time for document collection. In my case it said 10 minutes. Again, DO NOT BELIEVE that damn board. I waited for 22 minutes and 52 seconds.
NOTE: unlike in the "application phase", the Q numbers may not appear in sequential order, so be sure to periodically check the boards.

6. Once you see your number on the board, go to the counter assigned to your Q number.

7. Give your 2 Q tickets, the one from DAY 1 and the one you just got. Say goodbye to your tickets because you won't be seeing them again.

8. Pay 20SGD, using NETS, CashCard, or EZ-Link.

9. The person at the counter will return your passport, stamped with a 2-month extention of your SVP and a 2-page document, indicating that your application for LTSVP is successful, under 3 conditions:
a. you have a valid travel document - checked!
b. you have a valid social visit pass - checked!
c. you have passed a medical exam

Page 2 is the form the doctor will fill-up once you get your medical exam. Any singaporean clinic will do.

10. Go out of ICA building.

Postconditions:
(what you must have after doing "Procedures")
1. your passport stamped with 2-month SVP

2. the 2-page document given to you

===END OF DAY 2====

So what's next?
so there! you're nearly done with the LTSVP application. All you need to do now is to submit yourself to a medical exam, give the results to ICA, and pay 40SGD, then walla! you can now stay in SG for 1 year even without a local sponsor.

+Disclaimer: The documents I listed are those which were required from me at the moment I applied. It may change later on, so the point is, always be prepared. Bring all the documents you think will be needed and have them photocopied early on (if possible, in the Philippines since it's probably cheaper).

snippets of info : In the airport

So you already have your EPEC, plane ticket, and pocket money... next stop, the airport.
As usual, be there 3 hours before your flight. Look decent, smart casual will do. Check-in your bags, and pay the whopping 750-peso terminal fee. At the immigration counter, indicate that you are going to SG on VACATION, not to find work. DO NOT SHOW your EPEC. There are several possible questions like where you work, where you'll stay in SG, what you'll do in SG, etc. just don't look like you've committed a crime and you're good to go. RP to SG flight takes around 3.5 hours. PAL serves their usual crappy food and you get to watch a movie you've already seen... goody!

Once you've reached SG, go straight to immigration, and show them your passport and EPEC. I think EPEC holders are given a 30-day social visit pass by default. After that, go get your luggage and ride the taxi/mrt.

Next topic: getting a Long Term Social Visit Pass(LTSVP) using your EPEC. I was told it would be advisable to apply for an LTSVP few days before your 30-day social visit pass expires. (say a week before) I'll post it here once i've done mine.

snippets of info : EPEC

Snippets of info i would like to share...
Dahil naniniwala akong magkikita-kita din tyo sa finals... :)


if you have decided to take a chance and go to Singapore to get a job, you might want to apply for an Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC). (unless you got a job offer while you're still in the Philippines and your would-be employer already got you an employment pass, then there's no need for an EPEC.)

Why get an EPEC?

The typical length of a social visit pass to singapore is 14 days, 30 days if you're charming enough to the immigration officers. since 14 or 30 days is usually not enough to land a job, you'll be needing an EPEC. an EPEC entitles it's holder a up to 12months of stay in SG. You should apply for an EPEC while you are STILL in the Philippines. Applications are done online.

The EPEC is issued on a one-time basis and is non-renewable. You may apply for
EPEC if you hold acceptable tertiary/professional qualifications. You should
apply only when you are ready to come to Singapore.

Here's a step-by-step procedure...

1. Apply for an EPEC online. Follow the instructions, and select New Application.

2. Fill-up the required information.

3. Remember the reference number that will be given to you. You will use this, together with your passport number to check the status of your application. (If you're the type that worries alot... :) )

4. Wait for an email from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), confirming your application. This email also contains your reference number. This is sent the same day you submitted your info to the MOM website.

5. Prepare scanned copies of your recent passport-size picture, passport particulars page, college diploma, or transcript of records, or other documents that would prove you're qualified to work. MOM will later email you to upload them.

6. In my case, after 3 days, MOM emailed me to request scanned copies of the items specified in step5. I uploaded a 2x2 picture, passport particulars page, college diploma, and transcript of records. You must upload the documents within 7 days upon receipt of the request email. otherwise, the EPEC application will be rejected.

7. In my case, after a day, MOM informed me via email that my EPEC application was approved.

8. Wait for the physical copy of the EPEC approval via snail mail. Waiting time is dependent on the efficiency of the Philippine postal system... so good luck na lang! hehehe...
Based on the timestamps on the mail i received, MOM sent the mail 5 days after they sent the approval email. It reached the Valenzuela post office after 8 days. And it was sent to our home after a week.

NOTE: EPEC is not recognized by the Philippine immigration. DO NOT SHOW your EPEC to Philippine immigration officers. it is only relevant once you reach Singaporean shores.
Also note, getting an EPEC does not instantly give you a 1-year social visit pass. Once you arrive in Singapore, you still have to go to Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to apply for a Long Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP). The EPEC is only a proof to ICA that you are qualified for an LTSVP even though you don't have a local sponsor (an employer or a relative that is a PR or Singaporean).


more snippets of info to come... :)

snippets of info : Airlines

Snippets of info i would like to share...
Dahil naniniwala akong magkikita-kita din tyo sa finals... :)
(or kung trip nyong magbakasyon... *wink* *wink*)

4 Airlines with regular flights to Singapore:
(ordered from "cheap-ass" to "OMG-i-have-no-intention-of-buying-the-plane!?!")
1. Tiger Airways
2. Cebu Pacific
3. Philippine Airlines
4. Singapore Airlines
(not so sure if there are other airlines out there...)

1 and 2 are also called "budget airlines". airfares are relatively cheap, however prepare yourself for philippine immigration "interrogation". I've read/heard several stories of people not being able to make it to SG because they seemed "suspicious-looking" to the immigration officers. Pro kung bakasyon lang talaga ang habol mo, at kung wala ka namang tinatago, then go lang. malaking tipid din kung dito... :)

if you want to save yourself from the trouble, take 3 or 4. Immigration officers assigned to these airlines are allegedly "kinder" than those in budget airlines. Airfare however is nearly twice as expensive as 1 and 2 airlines.

If your taking PAL, also note that the length of stay also determines how much your airfare is. If the duration of stay is less than or equal to 8 days, you save more than 1 thousand pesos.
ex:
length of stay is 08 days = price of ticket is 14,072.00 (roundtrip)
length of stay is 14 days = price of ticket is 15,888.00 (roundtrip)

no idea why they have this scheme. just call PAL hotline for more info... hehehe :)

also, try surveying prices in travel agencies. according to the PAL hotline dude i talked to, agencies usually have cheaper deals...

more snippets to follow... :)