RELO NEWS
Employers can no longer transfer an Employment Pass (EP) holder to a related company in the case of a merger or acquisition without the new employer submitting a new EP application, according to a policy change announced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Once the new EP is approved, the previous employer can cancel the old EP, without re-advertising the role in the job bank.
Previously, employers could transfer an EP holder to a new company without a new EP application.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) now requires companies to obtain a written consent from foreign national candidates sponsored for work passes. This applies to all new and renewal work pass applications. Verbal consent will not be accepted.
The written consent is not required to be submitted with work pass applications as one of the supporting documents, but the MOM will ask to see this in the event of a dispute between the employer and the employee.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has issued an amended regulation that reverses most of the controversial new requirements issued in July (which had been implemented progressively since then). Among other changes, the local to foreign worker ratio and the rule for non-resident directors and commissioners to obtain a work permit have been removed.
Following the announcement of stricter and broader work authorization-related rules for foreign workers in June, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has further clarified the changes, which were proposed in an effort to protect the local workforce. Generally, the rules have been implemented, but contrary to previous reports, an internal review of the proposed changes is being conducted by the MOM instead of having a public comment period before implementation of some of the more significant changes.
