Update 18 Mar 2021: From “Count on me Singapore” to “Count on me India”
Netizens have found a plagiarised version of the Singapore National Day Song ‘Count on me Singapore‘. The altered song titled ‘We Can Achieve‘ is now used as a patriotic song in India.
“We have a goal for Mother India/ We can achieve, we can achieve” this lyrics are written, copying the lyrics from the 1986 Singapore National Day song.
However, every mention of ‘Singapore’ was replaced with “India”. The song title was also changed to “We can achieve” instead of the familiar ‘Count on me‘.
WP’s Jamus Lim points out reasons why CECA benefits India more than Singapore
Workers’ Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) Jamus Lim took to Facebook on Friday (19 March) to pen down reasons why the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) offers more gains for India rather than Singapore.
During WP’s recent house visit at 326C Anchorvale Road, he met a resident who voiced his unhappiness towards the CECA. “Since its conclusion in 2005, there has been much sturm und drang about the merits of the CECA deal between Singapore and India. These have focus principally on the sense—one shared by Mr Singh—that the deal has been unfair for Singaporean workers, and has led to both a flood of Indian nationals, alongside a loss of local opportunities,” said Mr Lim.
Given that the Sengkang GRC MP is also an international economist, he expressed that he understands that trade deals are rarely “unequivocal”, and that there will often be a loser in a trade deal and that the benefits depend on conditions faced by both parties.
Jamus Lim 8h
Last night our house visit team was able to complete the whole of 326C #Anchorvale. We met with many families, who shared with us their thoughts about a number of local and national issues. One resident, Mr Singh, was especially distraught by the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
Since its conclusion in 2005, there has been much sturm und drang about the merits of the #CECA deal between Singapore and India. These have focused principally on the sense—one shared by Mr Singh—that the deal has been unfair for Singaporean workers, and has led to both a flood of Indian nationals, alongside a loss of local opportunities.
As an international economist, I recognize that the support for trade liberalization is seldom an unequivocal one, but based on how, on net, the benefits outweighed the costs. This not only means that there would generally be losers in any trade deal, but also that the extent of gains would depend on the specific conditions faced by both parties to any agreement.
CECA does not give Indian nationals automatic access to citizenship, PR status, employment: MTI
The Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) does not automatically grant Indian nationals access to Singapore citizenship, permanent residence or employment here, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said on Thursday (Aug 27).
"It is not true that under CECA, Indian nationals can come to Singapore and become permanent residents and citizens. There is no such provision in CECA," said an MTI spokesperson.
"It is also not true that CECA requires Singapore to automatically grant Employment Passes to PMEs from India wanting to work here," said the spokesperson, referring to professionals, managers and executives (PMEs).
read more
CECA: Good TRE article
A friend asked someone who has written on CECA on FB in the past whether the u/m allegations of Foong Swee Fong are correct. The person replied that “MTI is using a very strict definition, almost strawman definition of what a lot of citizens are concerned about.”
Foong Swee Fong’s understanding of CECA: Misleading on CECA. Again, the authorities are painting one side of the picture to mislead. This time, it got the MTI to do the dirty work. It starts off stating authoritatively that there is “no provision under CECA for Indian nationals to become PRs and citizens”. That’s true and actually obvious because this agreement pertains to investment, not citizenship. But we all know that PMEs form the pool for future PRs and citizens, unlike Work Permit holders.
It then says that it is “not true that CECA requires the Singapore authorities to automatically grant employment passes to Indian PMEs who want to work here”. It gives the impression that Indian nationals are treated no differently from other nationals, but it is not true. All applications for Employment Passes must satisfy the minimum qualifying salaries as well as other standard requirements like educational qualification, employment offer from a company etc. So in that sense, approval is “not automatic”, but it is again stating the obvious.
read more
ST says sorry for publishing wrong info on how long Indian nationals can work in SG under CECA
Last Saturday (9 Nov), Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said that the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access into Singapore or immigration privileges. The news was picked up by the Straits Times (ST) and reported the following day (‘Free Trade Agreements have created more jobs for Singaporeans: Chan Chun Sing‘, 10 Nov).
ST also raised the point that CECA critics have pointed to India taking advantage of the “intra-company transferee” clause to move large number of Indian nationals to work here. ST defended the government saying that the government has said there is a stringent definition for intra-corporate transferees and additional criteria that make it harder to game the system.
It then quoted the example that to qualify under CECA, intra-corporate transferees must have worked for their company for at least one year before being posted to Singapore and they are only allowed to stay for a total term not exceeding five years. What ST said was incorrect.
read more
Free Trade Agreements have created more jobs for Singaporeans: Chan Chun Sing
Minister cites figures to refute criticism that Ceca helps Indian nationals steal jobs here
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing has come out in defence of Singapore's free trade agreements (FTAs), saying these have helped more Singaporeans get employed in higher-skilled jobs.
He made the point yesterday as he refuted criticism that one such agreement, between Singapore and India, had given Indian professionals unfettered access to jobs and citizenship here.
Such falsehoods, circulated online and in WhatsApp chat groups, were aimed at scaring and dividing Singaporeans at a time of economic uncertainty, he said. Some purveyors of such untruths had gone further to play the racial card.
read more
People’s Voice Lim Tean calls out Trade & Industry Minister for a debate on CECA
People’s Voice founding leader Lim Tean has called out Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing to debate the merits of the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), countering the minister’s assertion that the agreement hasn’t robbed Singaporeans of jobs.
On Saturday, Mr Chan had said in an interview with Channel NewsAsia that CECA does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access into Singapore or immigration privileges. Mr Chan also said that any claim about how the agreement has cost Singaporeans’ job opportunities is merely a move to stoke fear in times of economic uncertainties.
These claims are false, asserted Mr Chan. Mr Chan said, “Indian professionals, like any other professionals from other countries, have to meet MOM’s (Ministry of Manpower’s) existing qualifying criteria to work in Singapore. This applies to Employment Pass, S Pass, and work permit.
read more
Govt takes ‘very serious view’ of falsehoods on Ceca that try to divide Singapore: Chan Chun Sing
Mr Chan said that Ceca does not give Indian nationals privileged or unconditional access to Singapore, and that “none of our FTAs do”
The Government takes a “very serious view” of online falsehoods being circulated on Singapore’s free trade agreements (FTAs), in particular its FTA with India, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing on Saturday (Nov 9).
“These postings and messages are circulated to stoke the fears of Singaporeans in times of economic uncertainties. And some go even further to play the racial card to divide our society,” he told reporters at a doorstop interview at The Treasury. “The government takes a very serious view of these attempts to rattle Singaporeans and divide our society.”
He did not elaborate on the source of these postings and messages nor say what action, if any, the Government would take against them. He did note however that Singapore’s network of FTAs has created better jobs for Singaporeans.
read more
CECA does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access, immigration privileges: Chan Chun Sing
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said on Saturday (Nov 9) that the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access into Singapore or immigration privileges.
Claims that the bilateral agreement has cost job opportunities for Singaporeans aim to stoke fears in times of economic uncertainties, said Mr Chan.
Mr Chan's comments come after an expletive-laden video surfaced online, showing a man lashing out at a security guard at the Eight Riversuites condominium.
related: S'pore remains committed to concluding review of India trade pact: MTI
read more
On MOM watch list: 350 companies which unfairly hire foreigners over S'poreans
Manpower Minister Josephine Teo called on MPs to support her ministry when they get appeals from firms that have not been fair in their hiring practices towards Singaporeans
Out of the 610 companies on a government watch list for unfairly hiring foreigners over Singaporeans, 260 have been taken off but 350 are still on it, Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said.
Speaking on Tuesday (March 5) during the debate on her ministry’s budget, Mrs Teo said that the firms that remain on the watch list of the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) cut across all sectors and sizes, with the top sectors being administrative and support services, education, information and communications, professional services, and the wholesale trade.
The FCF, which was launched in August 2014, is part of the Government’s overall effort to strengthen the Singaporean core in the workforce and it sets out expectations for companies to consider Singaporeans fairly for job openings. Being placed on the watch list means that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will scrutinise these firms’ Employment Pass applications more closely.
read more
Chan didn’t disclose that there is no economic needs test or quotas on agreed services under CECA
In fact, prior to 2015-16, Singaporean PMETs working in the financial industry were already complaining about discriminatory hiring practices. In 2013, DPM Tharman and then Manpower Minister Tan Chuan Jin had to call up some banks in Singapore to ask them to stop the practice of “hiring their own kinds”. This was revealed in Parliament by Minister Tan in 2013. Minister Tan did not name the banks nor the nationalities of the hiring managers but many netizens have pointed that DPM Tharman and Mr Tan must have spoken to some of these foreign banks which were dominated by Indian nationals.
Under CECA, Singapore became India’s top investor but it is believed that the investments mainly came from Singapore government and Government Linked Companies under Temasek, like DBS, Sembcorp, Ascendas, etc.
So, even though Chan said CECA does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access to work in Singapore, many were allowed into Singapore especially in the first 10 years after CECA was signed, competing with Singaporean PMETs for jobs and damaging Singaporean interests. Otherwise, why would DPM Tharman and then Manpower Minister Tan want to talk to those banks in Singapore?
read more
Minister Chan Chun Sing throws smoke bomb on CECA concerns, by stating FTAs created more jobs for Singaporeans
However, he did not state how many PMET jobs have been created from CECA. Not to mention, that there was an explosion in numbers of Permanent Residents during the period that Chan had stated. Clearly, the new PRs and new citizens converted from PRs, are those who take up PMET jobs as Immigration and Checkpoint Authority states that only a holder of an Employment Pass or S Pass is eligible to apply for PR
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said on Saturday (9 Nov) that the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access into Singapore or immigration privileges.
Claims that the bilateral agreement has cost job opportunities for Singaporeans aim to stoke fears in times of economic uncertainties, said Mr Chan.
Media reports over Chan’s statement noted that there have been falsehoods surfacing in relation to free trade agreements (FTAs).
read more
Gathering at Hong Lim Park to voice out against CECA & 6.9 mil population
Gilbert Goh, founder of Transitioning.org and organiser of protests against the Population White Paper (PWP) and various other events such as Commemoration of May Day, is organising a gathering at Hong Lim Park this Sunday (3 Nov) from 4pm to 7pm.
read more
Hundreds protest against giving Singaporeans’ jobs to foreigners
Some 300 to 400 Singaporeans on Sunday held a rare rally in a park against the government’s immigration policies, a hot button issue likely to figure in a parliamentary election expected in the first half of next year.
The People’s Action Party (PAP), which has ruled since independence in 1965, suffered its worst showing ever in the 2011 elections, in part due to voter concern over immigration.
Around 40% of the 5.7 million people living on the small city-state are foreign and some Singaporeans are frustrated with the number of immigrants in the city-state, who they accuse of competing for jobs, housing and schooling.
read more
Singapore activist leads rare anti-immigration rally as vote looms
Some of the city state’s 5.7 million people are frustrated with the number of immigrants, who they accuse of competing for jobs, housing and schooling
“Singaporeans, it is time to stand up for your rights to a reasonably good job in our own country – we must always adhere to the Singaporean-first slogan and that employment must be given to a local first before we ever consider a foreigner,” Gilbert Goh, the organiser of Sunday’s protest, said in a Facebook post for the event.
The Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) does not automatically grant Indian nationals access to Singapore citizenship, permanent residence or employment here, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said on Thursday (Aug 27).
"It is not true that under CECA, Indian nationals can come to Singapore and become permanent residents and citizens. There is no such provision in CECA," said an MTI spokesperson.
"It is also not true that CECA requires Singapore to automatically grant Employment Passes to PMEs from India wanting to work here," said the spokesperson, referring to professionals, managers and executives (PMEs).
read more
CECA: Good TRE article
A friend asked someone who has written on CECA on FB in the past whether the u/m allegations of Foong Swee Fong are correct. The person replied that “MTI is using a very strict definition, almost strawman definition of what a lot of citizens are concerned about.”
Foong Swee Fong’s understanding of CECA: Misleading on CECA. Again, the authorities are painting one side of the picture to mislead. This time, it got the MTI to do the dirty work. It starts off stating authoritatively that there is “no provision under CECA for Indian nationals to become PRs and citizens”. That’s true and actually obvious because this agreement pertains to investment, not citizenship. But we all know that PMEs form the pool for future PRs and citizens, unlike Work Permit holders.
It then says that it is “not true that CECA requires the Singapore authorities to automatically grant employment passes to Indian PMEs who want to work here”. It gives the impression that Indian nationals are treated no differently from other nationals, but it is not true. All applications for Employment Passes must satisfy the minimum qualifying salaries as well as other standard requirements like educational qualification, employment offer from a company etc. So in that sense, approval is “not automatic”, but it is again stating the obvious.
read more
ST says sorry for publishing wrong info on how long Indian nationals can work in SG under CECA
Last Saturday (9 Nov), Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said that the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access into Singapore or immigration privileges. The news was picked up by the Straits Times (ST) and reported the following day (‘Free Trade Agreements have created more jobs for Singaporeans: Chan Chun Sing‘, 10 Nov).
ST also raised the point that CECA critics have pointed to India taking advantage of the “intra-company transferee” clause to move large number of Indian nationals to work here. ST defended the government saying that the government has said there is a stringent definition for intra-corporate transferees and additional criteria that make it harder to game the system.
It then quoted the example that to qualify under CECA, intra-corporate transferees must have worked for their company for at least one year before being posted to Singapore and they are only allowed to stay for a total term not exceeding five years. What ST said was incorrect.
read more
Free Trade Agreements have created more jobs for Singaporeans: Chan Chun Sing
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing has come out in defence of Singapore's free trade agreements (FTAs), saying these have helped more Singaporeans get employed in higher-skilled jobs.
He made the point yesterday as he refuted criticism that one such agreement, between Singapore and India, had given Indian professionals unfettered access to jobs and citizenship here.
Such falsehoods, circulated online and in WhatsApp chat groups, were aimed at scaring and dividing Singaporeans at a time of economic uncertainty, he said. Some purveyors of such untruths had gone further to play the racial card.
read more
People’s Voice Lim Tean calls out Trade & Industry Minister for a debate on CECA
People’s Voice founding leader Lim Tean has called out Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing to debate the merits of the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), countering the minister’s assertion that the agreement hasn’t robbed Singaporeans of jobs.
On Saturday, Mr Chan had said in an interview with Channel NewsAsia that CECA does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access into Singapore or immigration privileges. Mr Chan also said that any claim about how the agreement has cost Singaporeans’ job opportunities is merely a move to stoke fear in times of economic uncertainties.
These claims are false, asserted Mr Chan. Mr Chan said, “Indian professionals, like any other professionals from other countries, have to meet MOM’s (Ministry of Manpower’s) existing qualifying criteria to work in Singapore. This applies to Employment Pass, S Pass, and work permit.
read more
Govt takes ‘very serious view’ of falsehoods on Ceca that try to divide Singapore: Chan Chun Sing
The Government takes a “very serious view” of online falsehoods being circulated on Singapore’s free trade agreements (FTAs), in particular its FTA with India, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing on Saturday (Nov 9).
“These postings and messages are circulated to stoke the fears of Singaporeans in times of economic uncertainties. And some go even further to play the racial card to divide our society,” he told reporters at a doorstop interview at The Treasury. “The government takes a very serious view of these attempts to rattle Singaporeans and divide our society.”
He did not elaborate on the source of these postings and messages nor say what action, if any, the Government would take against them. He did note however that Singapore’s network of FTAs has created better jobs for Singaporeans.
read more
CECA does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access, immigration privileges: Chan Chun Sing
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said on Saturday (Nov 9) that the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access into Singapore or immigration privileges.
Claims that the bilateral agreement has cost job opportunities for Singaporeans aim to stoke fears in times of economic uncertainties, said Mr Chan.
Mr Chan's comments come after an expletive-laden video surfaced online, showing a man lashing out at a security guard at the Eight Riversuites condominium.
related: S'pore remains committed to concluding review of India trade pact: MTI
read more
On MOM watch list: 350 companies which unfairly hire foreigners over S'poreans
Out of the 610 companies on a government watch list for unfairly hiring foreigners over Singaporeans, 260 have been taken off but 350 are still on it, Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said.
Speaking on Tuesday (March 5) during the debate on her ministry’s budget, Mrs Teo said that the firms that remain on the watch list of the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) cut across all sectors and sizes, with the top sectors being administrative and support services, education, information and communications, professional services, and the wholesale trade.
The FCF, which was launched in August 2014, is part of the Government’s overall effort to strengthen the Singaporean core in the workforce and it sets out expectations for companies to consider Singaporeans fairly for job openings. Being placed on the watch list means that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will scrutinise these firms’ Employment Pass applications more closely.
read more
Chan didn’t disclose that there is no economic needs test or quotas on agreed services under CECA
In fact, prior to 2015-16, Singaporean PMETs working in the financial industry were already complaining about discriminatory hiring practices. In 2013, DPM Tharman and then Manpower Minister Tan Chuan Jin had to call up some banks in Singapore to ask them to stop the practice of “hiring their own kinds”. This was revealed in Parliament by Minister Tan in 2013. Minister Tan did not name the banks nor the nationalities of the hiring managers but many netizens have pointed that DPM Tharman and Mr Tan must have spoken to some of these foreign banks which were dominated by Indian nationals.
Under CECA, Singapore became India’s top investor but it is believed that the investments mainly came from Singapore government and Government Linked Companies under Temasek, like DBS, Sembcorp, Ascendas, etc.
So, even though Chan said CECA does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access to work in Singapore, many were allowed into Singapore especially in the first 10 years after CECA was signed, competing with Singaporean PMETs for jobs and damaging Singaporean interests. Otherwise, why would DPM Tharman and then Manpower Minister Tan want to talk to those banks in Singapore?
read more
Minister Chan Chun Sing throws smoke bomb on CECA concerns, by stating FTAs created more jobs for Singaporeans
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said on Saturday (9 Nov) that the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access into Singapore or immigration privileges.
Claims that the bilateral agreement has cost job opportunities for Singaporeans aim to stoke fears in times of economic uncertainties, said Mr Chan.
Media reports over Chan’s statement noted that there have been falsehoods surfacing in relation to free trade agreements (FTAs).
read more
Gathering at Hong Lim Park to voice out against CECA & 6.9 mil population
Gilbert Goh, founder of Transitioning.org and organiser of protests against the Population White Paper (PWP) and various other events such as Commemoration of May Day, is organising a gathering at Hong Lim Park this Sunday (3 Nov) from 4pm to 7pm.
The gathering will act as a platform for Singaporeans to pen their thoughts on any burning issues, especially on Singapore’s Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) and 6.9 million population plan, in light of the recent incident of Ramesh Erramalli - a foreign talent employee at J.P. Morgan who was caught on video berating security officers.
Announcing this news on his Facebook page on Thursday (30 Oct), Mr Goh called for concerned Singaporeans to “flood the park with our united unhappiness at CECA, Ramesh and 6.9 mil population plan”.
read more
Hundreds protest against giving Singaporeans’ jobs to foreigners
About 400 people gathered to hear organiser Gilbert Goh speak on Singapore’s immigration policies. (FB pic)
Some 300 to 400 Singaporeans on Sunday held a rare rally in a park against the government’s immigration policies, a hot button issue likely to figure in a parliamentary election expected in the first half of next year.
The People’s Action Party (PAP), which has ruled since independence in 1965, suffered its worst showing ever in the 2011 elections, in part due to voter concern over immigration.
Around 40% of the 5.7 million people living on the small city-state are foreign and some Singaporeans are frustrated with the number of immigrants in the city-state, who they accuse of competing for jobs, housing and schooling.
read more
Singapore activist leads rare anti-immigration rally as vote looms
Posters reading messages including “We want a Singapore first labour policy” were placed around Speakers’ Corner, a designated site for people to air their views in Singapore.
Many protesters listened to speeches from plastic chairs, some sipping cups of malted milk, while a few waved the Singapore flag.
read more
Some 400 Singaporeans held a rare rally against the government’s immigration policies
Public dissent is rare in Singapore where a licence is required to hold a demonstration. The government has been tightening the inflow of foreign labour over the last few years.
Sunday’s protest followed a viral video showing a man of Indian descent swearing at an elderly local security guard at his condominium complex late last month. Local media reported the man was a naturalised Singapore citizen.
Singapore’s trade and manpower ministries did not respond to emailed requests for comment outside business hours.
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Khush Chopra: Singapore’s strong stance against favouring foreigners and CECA
Mr Saktiandi Supaat, a People’s Action Party Member of Parliament asked for eligibility criteria for employment pass (EP) holders be tightened in Parliament yesterday.
He said: “We cannot continue to have the inflow of foreign specialists in perpetuity without regard for the well-being of our Singapore core.”
In response, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Minister of State for Manpower and National Development said that strong stance against favouring foreigners for employment has not gone unnoticed and noted locals continue to hold the majority of jobs that companies could hire EP holders to undertake. He said, “But the ministry will study Mr Saktiandi’s suggestion on expanding on the scheme to see how else local workers can benefit”. Whatever that doublespeak means.
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CECA thrust back into the spotlight in the wake of viral incident involving Indian J.P. Morgan employee
The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between Singapore and India has been thrust back into the limelight, in the wake of the viral video showing an Indian J.P. Morgan employee berating Singaporean workers
On Friday night (25 Oct), a video of a man verbally abusing a hapless security officer went viral on social media. In the incident, which reportedly took place at the Eight Riversuites condominium in Bendemeer, the man hurled vulgarities at the elderly guard after being told that guests visiting his condominium unit needed to pay parking fees.
Despite the security guards’ explanation that they are simply enforcing the rules, the condo resident continued to berate the workers. In his expletive-ridden rant, the man bragged to the security officers that he bought his condominium unit for S$1.5 million. He exclaimed: “I buy your f****** property for S$1.5 million you know.”
Netizens subsequently identified the condo resident as Ramesh Erramalli, a foreign talent from India who works at global financial services company J.P. Morgan in Singapore. The incident drew swift backlash and many Singaporeans are calling on J.P. Morgan to sack Ramesh and have him deported back to India.
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Police investigating condo resident Ramesh Erramalli for harassing security guard: MHA
The MHA statement, issued at around 11pm, identified the resident as 44-year-old Ramesh Erramalli who is "married to a local-born Singapore citizen". "He obtained his Singapore citizenship on the sponsorship of his wife, under the Family Ties scheme," the ministry added
Their dispute was over a rule by the condominium’s management, which imposed a S$10 fee for visitors who park their cars there after 11pm. The condominium is located in the Whampoa area close to Boon Keng MRT Station.
The resident’s guest had gone over at about 10.30pm for Deepavali festivities. The video shows the security officer asking what time the visitor would leave, followed by the resident questioning if guests could not visit him after 11pm on Deepavali.
“I bought your f***ing property for S$1.5 million, you know? This is S$1.5 million, okay?” the resident says. After the security officer tells him he would let the management know of the situation, the resident replies: “Tell the management to f*** off.”
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‘$1.5m’ condo owner hurls vulgarities at security guards over $10 parking fee
The resident in a blue singlet said to the security guards: "I buy your f****** property for $1.5 million you know."
A blue car can be seen stopped near the entrance of the condominium's car park. The resident says in the video: "You're putting my visitors in such a position. "You're telling me for Diwali they can't visit after 11 o'clock? I leave the car here, you do whatever you want to do.
"Call the police, do whatever you want to do. F*** off!"
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'I bought this property for $1.5 million': Condo resident yells profanities at security guards over visitor parking
The man was outraged by a parking fee he was told he needed to pay for his guests to park inside the condominium.PHOTOS: SCREENGRABS FROM YOUTUBE
A video of a man yelling at his condominium security guards and hurling vulgarities at them has attracted much attention online since it was posted on Friday (Oct 25).
The man, dressed in a blue sleeveless shirt and shorts, who identified himself as Ramesh in the video, was outraged by a parking fee he was told he needed to pay for his guests to park inside the condominium.
Two security agency associations have released separate statements on Saturday (Oct 26) regarding the incident, defending the security officer in the video.
related:
Condo resident who verbally abused security officer apologises in private meeting
Man verbally abusing security officer @ condo files police report alleging he was doxxed
read more
JP Morgan tells staff to respect others as its FB page flooded with calls for Whampoa condo man’s sacking
After a video of an employee verbally abusing a security officer went viral over the weekend, JP Morgan has taken to reminding its staff in Singapore to maintain a “culture of respect” in their daily conduct.
According to The Straits Times, an internal e-mail memo was sent on Oct. 29, with the senior country officer of JP Morgan’s Singapore offices Edmund Lee galvanising staff to shoulder the responsibility for “preserving and building” the “strong reputation” of the financial institution.
It was a reputation built on “our people, services and commitment to integrity,” said Lee. The Straits Times quoted the email as saying all staff were expected to demonstrate “respect and dignity for others … inside and outside of the workplace”.
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Online users slam JP Morgan following one of its employee caught on video berating security officers; angry comments hidden on Facebook post
Last Friday night (25 Oct), a man was caught on video yelling and hurling vulgarities at security guards after being told he needed to pay parking fees for guests visiting his condominium.
The footage of the incident – which reportedly took place at Eight Riversuites condominium in Bendemeer – was first posted on YouTube, and has been circulating across social media, making headlines.
In the video, a man dressed in a sleeveless shirt and shorts can be seen expressing his displeasure virulently towards the security guards. The man, a resident at that place, told the security officers that he had bought his condominium unit for S$1.5 million, and subsequently started uttering profanities.
related:
Petition for firing of Ramesh from JP Morgan gathers more than 26,000 signatures
Security association calls for AGC to press for deterrent sentence
read more
Why S'poreans Are Angry At Foreign Talents Who Thinks They Are Better Than Us
The weekend spat between a foreign national and a security guard, where the foreign national got incensed as he his condo guest had to pay a parking fee for visiting him late at night, has again brought the spotlight upon the supposed class divide between the foreign talents who are brought here on monstrous salaries, while average Singaporeans struggle to find jobs.
While the security guard was rightly just dispensing his duty, that particular quarrel is for the army of netizens to comment on, while J P Morgan, the employer of the said foreign national, will have a PR nightmare to contend with once the Deepavali holiday season has worn off. But what has riled Singaporeans is the fact that this person, like many before him, and many more after him, seem to get all the cushy and high paying job, and see no wrong to look down of Singaporeans who have university qualifications in Singapore's world class universities, but can only dream of getting such high paying jobs in their own country.
Singaporeans are told by our own government, foreign nationals and even fellow citizens who are sympathizers or just IBs not to 'overgeneralize' whenever instances of bad behavior exhibited by foreigners make headlines. And yet, time and again, incidents like these keep happening, where we see yet another foreign talent looking down on a fellow Singaporeans. We already have to deal with the bad behavior of some of our fellow citizens, so why is there a need for an influx of foreigners to add to the stress?
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Chee Soon Juan reiterates concern over CECA as unemployment rate climbs
Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) secretary-general Chee Soon Juan has reiterated his concern over the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between Singapore and India, in the wake of the viral incident involving an India-born condo resident berating a security guard.
While the condo resident – who is now a naturalised Singapore citizen working in a top position at JP Morgan in Singapore – has since apologised to the security guard, the incident thrust CECA into the spotlight.
Progress Singapore Party chief Tan Cheng Bock’s promise to call for a review of CECA and Workers’ Party politician Gerald Giam’s parliamentary exchange with ex-Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang over CECA began trending on social media, after the video went viral.
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Tan Cheng Bock’s promise to call for a review of CECA agreement trends online
A video of Dr Tan Cheng Bock promising to call for a review of the CECA agreement is now re-circulating online. Although the clip is a few months old, it has received over 24,000 views and about 1,000 reactions on Facebook in a matter of hours.
In the clip that was taken at a PSP event in August, Dr Tan said:
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CECA 101: TISG answers FAQs on the trade agreement between Singapore & India
CECA, or the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, is a free-trade pact between the two countries, which was carried out for the purpose of strengthening bilateral trade. Below is a comprehensive overview of the agreement
In a nutshell, CECA, or the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, is a free-trade pact between the two countries, which was carried out for the purpose of strengthening bilateral trade.
It was first discussed in 2002 after a meeting in Singapore between then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. After the meeting of the two heads of state, a Joint Study Group (JSG) was formed. “The JSG concluded that the CECA between India and Singapore would provide significant benefits for both countries, in terms of the potential for increased trade and investment, and through economic cooperation.”
A Declaration of Intent for the CECA was signed in 2003, followed by 13 formal rounds of negotiations over the next two years. The team from India was led by two successive secretaries of their Department of Commerce. Singapore’s side was led by Heng Swee Keat, who was then the Permanent Secretary for Trade and Industry as well as the Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and who is now Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister.
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Heng led team in concluding CECA with India opening up SG for Indian FTs to work in
On 29 June 2005, India and Singapore signed the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). This free trade agreement not only enables Singapore and India to trade goods freely, it also allows professionals to work in each other country more easily
The CECA was concluded after 13 rounds of negotiation and the Singapore’s side was led by none other than Heng Swee Keat, the current PM-in-waiting, who was then Permanent Secretary for Trade and Industry. Heng and his team essentially did the ground work together with their Indian counterparts. They then presented their proposals to the politicians for approval. Some of the areas covered by CECA include: Improved Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, Trade in Goods, Customs, Investment, Trade in Services, Intellectual Property, etc.
However, controversial ones include concluding further Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) so as to facilitate the freer movement of professionals between Singapore and India. It helps to recognise each other’s education and professional qualifications so that Indian and Singaporean professionals from the following five professions could be able to practise in each other country:
Already, Singapore now recognises degrees of Indian doctors and nurses from certain Indian universities.
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SIGNING OF THE INDIA-SINGAPORE COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today signed the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). This landmark agreement is India's first ever CECA and is also the first comprehensive economic pact between Singapore and a South Asian country.
The CECA was successfully concluded after 13 formal rounds of negotiation, and encompasses trade in goods, trade in services, investment protections and other features. The CECA covers Mutual Recognition Agreements that will eliminate duplicative testing and certification of products in specific sectors, as well as cooperation chapters that will encourage and facilitate bilateral cooperation in several sectors. The CECA has also encompassed a review to the existing Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement between India and Singapore.
The Agreement is a strategic compact between the two countries that will further enhance bilateral ties by catalysing the already growing flows of trade, investment, ideas and people.
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Enhanced CECA between S’pore and India officially recognizes Indian nursing degrees
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) released a public statement yesterday (1 Jun) announcing that Singapore and India have "successfully" concluded the second review of the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
"Today, in the presence of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Loh Khum Yean, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore, and Mr Jawed Ashraf, Indian High Commissioner to Singapore, exchanged the Joint Statement on the conclusion of the CECA second review," MTI announced.
The new CECA enhancements include expanding tariff concessions for an additional 30 products and improving rules of origin to provide more flexibility for Singapore exports into India, so as to qualify for preferential tariffs under the agreement, MTI noted.
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Was PM Lee completely outsmarted by the Indians?
Twelve years ago on 29 June 2005, PM Lee triumphantly went to India to sign the free trade agreement, the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement or CECA, with the Indian government. At the official dinner hosted by the Indian PM for him in New Delhi, PM Lee happily announced that a “New India” is emerging.
“Singapore is keen to engage this New India,” he said. “With the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, or CECA, there is no doubt that our trade and business tie-ups will increase considerably. It (CECA) is much more than a free trade agreement. The CECA will bring our two countries closer together,” he added. “Singapore and India stand to gain immensely from the increased flow of goods, services, investments and talent. As economic linkages expand and the free flow of people and ideas continues, I am confident that the relationship will grow from strength to strength. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, may I now invite you to raise your glasses and join me in a toast to the good health and success of His Excellency Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the peace and prosperity of the people of India and the enduring friendship between our countries.”- PM Lee at Dinner hosted by India’s PM, 29 June 2005
And that was how Singapore ended up signing CECA with India.
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Lee Hsien Loong signed agreement to import cheap Indian labour
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong rehashed his commitment to create jobs for India graduates by signing an upgraded version of the CECA (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement) agreement with India. The CECA agreement will allow cheap foreign labour working from the professional Information Technology (IT) sector to the unskilled cleaning sector. The move come a month after Lee Hsien Loong promised to create 1,920 jobs for Filipinos in Singapore.
Also established in the renewed 2018 CECA is the recognition of India nursing certificates. When it comes to employment, Singaporean Registered Nurses (RN) with nursing diplomas will now have similar standing to that of Indian nursing qualifications. The move will likely depress the wages of registered nurses in Singapore further, which is currently at an average of about S$2,300 in take-home pay.
In addition to the depression of salaries, Indian professionals has a poor international reputation due to the number of fake qualifications. Both the private and public sector were found to be duped by these fake qualifications holders. In 2015, Singapore government statutory board Information Development Authority (IDA) was found to have hired an Indian national who put up qualifications bought from degree mills. Some foreigners posted fake qualifications of universities where they were never a graduate of.
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India, Singapore formalise mutual recognition agreement in nursing
India has formalised a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in nursing with Singapore which would allow nurses trained in seven nursing institutions across India to gain employment in the South-East Asian country. “This has paved way for our healthcare service providers to institutionally access markets abroad. It will further open up doors for India to enter into similar mutual recognition arrangements with other countries,” according to an official release circulated by the Commerce Ministry on Friday.
India and Singapore concluded the second review of India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) which was officially announced on Friday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore. “Both countries could reach a common understanding on various unresolved issues in the second review which were pending since 2010. In the review, India and Singapore agreed to expand the coverage of tariff concessions, liberalise the rules of origin and incorporate new product specific rules (PSRs) to further enhance trade between the two countries,” the release added.
The India-Singapore CECA was ratified in 2005. Although the two sides had also agreed to sign MRAs in four other areas including architecture, accountancy, dentistry and medical (doctors), there has not been much progress in these.
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Enhanced CECA between S’pore and India officially recognizes Indian nursing degrees
However, CECA became controversial over the last few years as more Singaporeans become aware of its ramification, thanks to social media. The chief complaint against CECA is over the clause governing the movement of people between Singapore and India.
Certainly, fewer Singaporeans want to work in India compared to the number of Indian nationals wanting to work here, since S$1 easily converts to 50 rupees. More Indian nationals working in Singapore would mean more job competitions here, as they can easily undercut Singaporeans in terms of salaries.
However, MTI avoided mentioning the mutual recognition of nursing degrees and diplomas under the new enhanced CECA in the main section of its media release.
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Local PMETs Further Played Out by Deepening of Singapore-India CECA Agreement?
In the 3rd quarter of 2017, Singapore PMETs comprised 70 percent of retrenchments. With the deepening of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with India, has the Singapore government played out PMETs even further?
Following the second review of the CECA, which concluded on 1 June, the Indian government declared: “In a major gain for India, Singapore agreed to expand coverage of Indian nursing institutions by recognising seven nursing institutions in the MRA. This has paved way for our healthcare service providers to institutionally access markets abroad. It will further open up doors for India to enter into similar mutual recognition arrangements with other countries.”
The big problem with the CECA is the clause regarding Inter-Corporate Transferees.
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INDIAN MINISTER: OUR NURSES ARE HEADED TO WORK IN S'PORE SOON
The Economic Times reported that India and Singapore are on the verge of signing a “mutual recognition agreement” that will make it easier for Indian nurses to work in Singapore.
Apparently (‘India-Singapore to sign a pact for movement of nurses‘), “India and Singapore are making progress in signing mutual recognition agreement for para-medical courses that will make it easier for domestically trained nurses to get work” in Singapore.
“Our nurses are highly sought after… we have made some progress in Singapore and soon we should have some kind of movement of nurses (to Singapore),” Additional Secretary in the Commerce Ministry J S Deepak told Indian reporters.
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How many PMETs from India came since 2005 under CECA and how many Singaporeans over to India?
I refer to the article “Review of India-S’pore economic pact not on hold: Delhi” (Straits Times, Apr 6).
It states that “India’s Commerce Ministry says it is in discussion with Singapore on providing visas for its IT professionals but denies that the issue has led to the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (Ceca) being put on hold." The India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) entered into force on 1 August 2005.
It is said that CECA increased trade and investment flows between India and Singapore. Bilateral trade grew from S$16.6 billion in 2005 to S$25.5 billion in 2013. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from India into Singapore grew from S$1.3 billion in 2005 to S$20 billion in 2012.
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Improved CECA between S & P; India and India officially recognizes Indian nurses
Trade Ministry (MTI) released a public statement yesterday (June 1) announcing that Singapore and India successfully completed the second review of the Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between India and Singapore.
"Today, in the presence of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister Loh Khum Yean, Permanent Secretary of Trade and Industry, Singapore, and Jawed Ashraf, India's High Commissioner for Singapore, exchanged a joint statement Following the end of CECA's second review, MTI announced.
The new CECA improvements include increasing tariff concessions for additional 30 products and improving the rules of origin to provide greater flexibility for Singapore exports to India in order to qualify for preferential tariffs under the agreement established MTI.
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Singapore blocks visas for Indian IT professionals
While the focus has been on the US, visas for IT professionals to work in Singapore have dropped “to a trickle”, prompting the government to put on hold the review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) citing violation of the Trade Act.
With Indian companies being advised to hire local talent, they are looking at relocating some of their operations to other countries in the region.
From HCL and TCS, which were the early movers to Singapore the list has expanded to include Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant and L&T Infotech.
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Singapore First: Quietly shutting the door on Indian techies and other foreign workers
Nearly 10,000 miles away from the anti-immigrant climate in Trump’s America, an island nation has been clamping down on Indian tech workers as part of its efforts to make sure companies give locals a fair shake, and to address concerns about overpopulation.
Singapore, which has about 5.6 million people and a workforce nearly 40% made up of nonresidents, has been ramping up measures to ensure that firms have a “Singapore core.” Officials have noted that foreign workers tend to be more common in certain industries, including food-and-beverage and technology. While Singapore hasn’t made any statements singling out Indian workers or firms, India’s IT trade industry body says it’s seen a definite change in the visa regime.
“They realized that the total number of people they have… far exceed the optimal level [the country can accommodate],” Gagan Sabharwal, director of global trade development at Nasscom, told Quartz. “That’s when they started shutting the tap down by making it more expensive, making it more cumbersome for companies.” Nasscom, the National Association of Software and Services Companies, has noted a reduction in visas over several years, but says things have become particularly tough since last year.
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INDIA MAY TAKE SINGAPORE TO WTO FOR VIOLATION OF CECA
The new measures taken by Singapore to control the influx of foreigners working in Singapore ‘has irked India as the new law does not give India a preferential treatment incorporated in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CECA) between the two countries, operational since 2005. This stance by the Singapore Government is expected to affect Indians working as middle-level managers, executives and technicians.
Speculation is rife that India might take up the issue with World Trade Organization’s (WTO) dispute settlement body. However, according to Singapore such a decision was imperative in the interest of the natives as the share of the foreign workforce is rising very rapidly.
India has submitted a request to Singapore for addressing the matter but has not received a formal communication yet.
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Govt decries CECA violation by Singapore
Those of you planning to make it big in Singapore might be in for a setback. Singapore recently made certain changes to its Employment Pass Framework law to reduce inflow of foreign workers significantly to create more job opportunities for local professionals. The move is expected to impact even those Indians working there at present across various sectors.
The amendments, made on a proposal by its Ministry of Manpower, has armed the Singapore government to bring down the foreign share of the total workforce to around one-third while encouraging employers to invest in productivity in return for incentives in the form of tax breaks. The move came as a recent Singapore's policy paper predicted that its population would grow by 30 per cent to 6.9 million by 2030, with immigrants making up nearly half that figure. The paper led to demonstrations in Singapore yesterday, a rare happening in the country, in protest against rise in immigrants.
The step has irked India as the new law does not give India a preferential treatment incorporated in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CECA) between the two countries, operational since 2005. This stance by the Singapore Government is expected to affect Indians working as middle-level managers, executives and technicians.'
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India-S'pore pact review 'put on hold'
Singapore’s Minister for Trade & Industry (Trade) Lim Hng Kiang (left) shaking hands with High Commissioner Jawed Ashraf at the reception to celebrate India’s 68th Republic Day held at the Shangri-La Hotel on Jan 26, 2017. FOTO: HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA
India has put on hold a review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (Ceca) in response to cutbacks in visa approvals for Indian software professionals bound for Singapore, according to a report in the Times of India newspaper.
Some 400 Singaporeans held a rare rally against the government’s immigration policies
Public dissent is rare in Singapore where a licence is required to hold a demonstration. The government has been tightening the inflow of foreign labour over the last few years.
Sunday’s protest followed a viral video showing a man of Indian descent swearing at an elderly local security guard at his condominium complex late last month. Local media reported the man was a naturalised Singapore citizen.
Singapore’s trade and manpower ministries did not respond to emailed requests for comment outside business hours.
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Khush Chopra: Singapore’s strong stance against favouring foreigners and CECA
Mr Saktiandi Supaat, a People’s Action Party Member of Parliament asked for eligibility criteria for employment pass (EP) holders be tightened in Parliament yesterday.
He said: “We cannot continue to have the inflow of foreign specialists in perpetuity without regard for the well-being of our Singapore core.”
In response, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Minister of State for Manpower and National Development said that strong stance against favouring foreigners for employment has not gone unnoticed and noted locals continue to hold the majority of jobs that companies could hire EP holders to undertake. He said, “But the ministry will study Mr Saktiandi’s suggestion on expanding on the scheme to see how else local workers can benefit”. Whatever that doublespeak means.
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CECA thrust back into the spotlight in the wake of viral incident involving Indian J.P. Morgan employee
On Friday night (25 Oct), a video of a man verbally abusing a hapless security officer went viral on social media. In the incident, which reportedly took place at the Eight Riversuites condominium in Bendemeer, the man hurled vulgarities at the elderly guard after being told that guests visiting his condominium unit needed to pay parking fees.
Despite the security guards’ explanation that they are simply enforcing the rules, the condo resident continued to berate the workers. In his expletive-ridden rant, the man bragged to the security officers that he bought his condominium unit for S$1.5 million. He exclaimed: “I buy your f****** property for S$1.5 million you know.”
Netizens subsequently identified the condo resident as Ramesh Erramalli, a foreign talent from India who works at global financial services company J.P. Morgan in Singapore. The incident drew swift backlash and many Singaporeans are calling on J.P. Morgan to sack Ramesh and have him deported back to India.
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Police investigating condo resident Ramesh Erramalli for harassing security guard: MHA
Their dispute was over a rule by the condominium’s management, which imposed a S$10 fee for visitors who park their cars there after 11pm. The condominium is located in the Whampoa area close to Boon Keng MRT Station.
The resident’s guest had gone over at about 10.30pm for Deepavali festivities. The video shows the security officer asking what time the visitor would leave, followed by the resident questioning if guests could not visit him after 11pm on Deepavali.
“I bought your f***ing property for S$1.5 million, you know? This is S$1.5 million, okay?” the resident says. After the security officer tells him he would let the management know of the situation, the resident replies: “Tell the management to f*** off.”
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‘$1.5m’ condo owner hurls vulgarities at security guards over $10 parking fee
According to the security guards in the video, visitors need to pay $10 for parking
The resident in a blue singlet said to the security guards: "I buy your f****** property for $1.5 million you know."
A blue car can be seen stopped near the entrance of the condominium's car park. The resident says in the video: "You're putting my visitors in such a position. "You're telling me for Diwali they can't visit after 11 o'clock? I leave the car here, you do whatever you want to do.
"Call the police, do whatever you want to do. F*** off!"
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'I bought this property for $1.5 million': Condo resident yells profanities at security guards over visitor parking
A video of a man yelling at his condominium security guards and hurling vulgarities at them has attracted much attention online since it was posted on Friday (Oct 25).
The man, dressed in a blue sleeveless shirt and shorts, who identified himself as Ramesh in the video, was outraged by a parking fee he was told he needed to pay for his guests to park inside the condominium.
Two security agency associations have released separate statements on Saturday (Oct 26) regarding the incident, defending the security officer in the video.
related:
Condo resident who verbally abused security officer apologises in private meeting
Man verbally abusing security officer @ condo files police report alleging he was doxxed
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JP Morgan tells staff to respect others as its FB page flooded with calls for Whampoa condo man’s sacking
The financial institution confirmed it was aware of the video and was looking into the matter
After a video of an employee verbally abusing a security officer went viral over the weekend, JP Morgan has taken to reminding its staff in Singapore to maintain a “culture of respect” in their daily conduct.
According to The Straits Times, an internal e-mail memo was sent on Oct. 29, with the senior country officer of JP Morgan’s Singapore offices Edmund Lee galvanising staff to shoulder the responsibility for “preserving and building” the “strong reputation” of the financial institution.
It was a reputation built on “our people, services and commitment to integrity,” said Lee. The Straits Times quoted the email as saying all staff were expected to demonstrate “respect and dignity for others … inside and outside of the workplace”.
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Online users slam JP Morgan following one of its employee caught on video berating security officers; angry comments hidden on Facebook post
The footage of the incident – which reportedly took place at Eight Riversuites condominium in Bendemeer – was first posted on YouTube, and has been circulating across social media, making headlines.
In the video, a man dressed in a sleeveless shirt and shorts can be seen expressing his displeasure virulently towards the security guards. The man, a resident at that place, told the security officers that he had bought his condominium unit for S$1.5 million, and subsequently started uttering profanities.
related:
Petition for firing of Ramesh from JP Morgan gathers more than 26,000 signatures
Security association calls for AGC to press for deterrent sentence
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Why S'poreans Are Angry At Foreign Talents Who Thinks They Are Better Than Us
The weekend spat between a foreign national and a security guard, where the foreign national got incensed as he his condo guest had to pay a parking fee for visiting him late at night, has again brought the spotlight upon the supposed class divide between the foreign talents who are brought here on monstrous salaries, while average Singaporeans struggle to find jobs.
While the security guard was rightly just dispensing his duty, that particular quarrel is for the army of netizens to comment on, while J P Morgan, the employer of the said foreign national, will have a PR nightmare to contend with once the Deepavali holiday season has worn off. But what has riled Singaporeans is the fact that this person, like many before him, and many more after him, seem to get all the cushy and high paying job, and see no wrong to look down of Singaporeans who have university qualifications in Singapore's world class universities, but can only dream of getting such high paying jobs in their own country.
Singaporeans are told by our own government, foreign nationals and even fellow citizens who are sympathizers or just IBs not to 'overgeneralize' whenever instances of bad behavior exhibited by foreigners make headlines. And yet, time and again, incidents like these keep happening, where we see yet another foreign talent looking down on a fellow Singaporeans. We already have to deal with the bad behavior of some of our fellow citizens, so why is there a need for an influx of foreigners to add to the stress?
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Chee Soon Juan reiterates concern over CECA as unemployment rate climbs
Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) secretary-general Chee Soon Juan has reiterated his concern over the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between Singapore and India, in the wake of the viral incident involving an India-born condo resident berating a security guard.
While the condo resident – who is now a naturalised Singapore citizen working in a top position at JP Morgan in Singapore – has since apologised to the security guard, the incident thrust CECA into the spotlight.
Progress Singapore Party chief Tan Cheng Bock’s promise to call for a review of CECA and Workers’ Party politician Gerald Giam’s parliamentary exchange with ex-Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang over CECA began trending on social media, after the video went viral.
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Tan Cheng Bock’s promise to call for a review of CECA agreement trends online
A video of Dr Tan Cheng Bock promising to call for a review of the CECA agreement is now re-circulating online. Although the clip is a few months old, it has received over 24,000 views and about 1,000 reactions on Facebook in a matter of hours.
In the clip that was taken at a PSP event in August, Dr Tan said:
- “We need to ensure job priority for Singaporeans…PSP will call for a review of the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, known as CECA.
- “Now this agreement, you must understand, was negotiated by our current Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat…Among the terms of CECA: allow the free movement of professionals in 127 sectors to enter and work in Singapore.
- “This has brought a lot of unhappiness with Singaporeans PMETs who feel vulnerable in their jobs and are anxious for the future.
- “We need the Government to publish a balance sheet for CECA, to show how Singapore and Singaporeans have benefited from this agreement, how many local jobs have gone to Indian professionals and how many Singaporeans have gone to India. We need accountability.”
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CECA 101: TISG answers FAQs on the trade agreement between Singapore & India
In a nutshell, CECA, or the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, is a free-trade pact between the two countries, which was carried out for the purpose of strengthening bilateral trade.
It was first discussed in 2002 after a meeting in Singapore between then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. After the meeting of the two heads of state, a Joint Study Group (JSG) was formed. “The JSG concluded that the CECA between India and Singapore would provide significant benefits for both countries, in terms of the potential for increased trade and investment, and through economic cooperation.”
A Declaration of Intent for the CECA was signed in 2003, followed by 13 formal rounds of negotiations over the next two years. The team from India was led by two successive secretaries of their Department of Commerce. Singapore’s side was led by Heng Swee Keat, who was then the Permanent Secretary for Trade and Industry as well as the Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and who is now Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister.
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Heng led team in concluding CECA with India opening up SG for Indian FTs to work in
The CECA was concluded after 13 rounds of negotiation and the Singapore’s side was led by none other than Heng Swee Keat, the current PM-in-waiting, who was then Permanent Secretary for Trade and Industry. Heng and his team essentially did the ground work together with their Indian counterparts. They then presented their proposals to the politicians for approval. Some of the areas covered by CECA include: Improved Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, Trade in Goods, Customs, Investment, Trade in Services, Intellectual Property, etc.
However, controversial ones include concluding further Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) so as to facilitate the freer movement of professionals between Singapore and India. It helps to recognise each other’s education and professional qualifications so that Indian and Singaporean professionals from the following five professions could be able to practise in each other country:
- Accounting and auditing
- Architecture
- Medical (doctors)
- Dental
- Nursing
Already, Singapore now recognises degrees of Indian doctors and nurses from certain Indian universities.
read more
SIGNING OF THE INDIA-SINGAPORE COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today signed the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). This landmark agreement is India's first ever CECA and is also the first comprehensive economic pact between Singapore and a South Asian country.
The CECA was successfully concluded after 13 formal rounds of negotiation, and encompasses trade in goods, trade in services, investment protections and other features. The CECA covers Mutual Recognition Agreements that will eliminate duplicative testing and certification of products in specific sectors, as well as cooperation chapters that will encourage and facilitate bilateral cooperation in several sectors. The CECA has also encompassed a review to the existing Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement between India and Singapore.
The Agreement is a strategic compact between the two countries that will further enhance bilateral ties by catalysing the already growing flows of trade, investment, ideas and people.
read more
Enhanced CECA between S’pore and India officially recognizes Indian nursing degrees
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) released a public statement yesterday (1 Jun) announcing that Singapore and India have "successfully" concluded the second review of the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
"Today, in the presence of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Loh Khum Yean, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore, and Mr Jawed Ashraf, Indian High Commissioner to Singapore, exchanged the Joint Statement on the conclusion of the CECA second review," MTI announced.
The new CECA enhancements include expanding tariff concessions for an additional 30 products and improving rules of origin to provide more flexibility for Singapore exports into India, so as to qualify for preferential tariffs under the agreement, MTI noted.
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Was PM Lee completely outsmarted by the Indians?
Twelve years ago on 29 June 2005, PM Lee triumphantly went to India to sign the free trade agreement, the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement or CECA, with the Indian government. At the official dinner hosted by the Indian PM for him in New Delhi, PM Lee happily announced that a “New India” is emerging.
“Singapore is keen to engage this New India,” he said. “With the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, or CECA, there is no doubt that our trade and business tie-ups will increase considerably. It (CECA) is much more than a free trade agreement. The CECA will bring our two countries closer together,” he added. “Singapore and India stand to gain immensely from the increased flow of goods, services, investments and talent. As economic linkages expand and the free flow of people and ideas continues, I am confident that the relationship will grow from strength to strength. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, may I now invite you to raise your glasses and join me in a toast to the good health and success of His Excellency Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the peace and prosperity of the people of India and the enduring friendship between our countries.”- PM Lee at Dinner hosted by India’s PM, 29 June 2005
And that was how Singapore ended up signing CECA with India.
read more
Lee Hsien Loong signed agreement to import cheap Indian labour
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong rehashed his commitment to create jobs for India graduates by signing an upgraded version of the CECA (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement) agreement with India. The CECA agreement will allow cheap foreign labour working from the professional Information Technology (IT) sector to the unskilled cleaning sector. The move come a month after Lee Hsien Loong promised to create 1,920 jobs for Filipinos in Singapore.
Also established in the renewed 2018 CECA is the recognition of India nursing certificates. When it comes to employment, Singaporean Registered Nurses (RN) with nursing diplomas will now have similar standing to that of Indian nursing qualifications. The move will likely depress the wages of registered nurses in Singapore further, which is currently at an average of about S$2,300 in take-home pay.
In addition to the depression of salaries, Indian professionals has a poor international reputation due to the number of fake qualifications. Both the private and public sector were found to be duped by these fake qualifications holders. In 2015, Singapore government statutory board Information Development Authority (IDA) was found to have hired an Indian national who put up qualifications bought from degree mills. Some foreigners posted fake qualifications of universities where they were never a graduate of.
read more
India, Singapore formalise mutual recognition agreement in nursing
India has formalised a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in nursing with Singapore which would allow nurses trained in seven nursing institutions across India to gain employment in the South-East Asian country. “This has paved way for our healthcare service providers to institutionally access markets abroad. It will further open up doors for India to enter into similar mutual recognition arrangements with other countries,” according to an official release circulated by the Commerce Ministry on Friday.
India and Singapore concluded the second review of India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) which was officially announced on Friday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore. “Both countries could reach a common understanding on various unresolved issues in the second review which were pending since 2010. In the review, India and Singapore agreed to expand the coverage of tariff concessions, liberalise the rules of origin and incorporate new product specific rules (PSRs) to further enhance trade between the two countries,” the release added.
The India-Singapore CECA was ratified in 2005. Although the two sides had also agreed to sign MRAs in four other areas including architecture, accountancy, dentistry and medical (doctors), there has not been much progress in these.
read more
Enhanced CECA between S’pore and India officially recognizes Indian nursing degrees
However, CECA became controversial over the last few years as more Singaporeans become aware of its ramification, thanks to social media. The chief complaint against CECA is over the clause governing the movement of people between Singapore and India.
Certainly, fewer Singaporeans want to work in India compared to the number of Indian nationals wanting to work here, since S$1 easily converts to 50 rupees. More Indian nationals working in Singapore would mean more job competitions here, as they can easily undercut Singaporeans in terms of salaries.
However, MTI avoided mentioning the mutual recognition of nursing degrees and diplomas under the new enhanced CECA in the main section of its media release.
read more
Local PMETs Further Played Out by Deepening of Singapore-India CECA Agreement?
In the 3rd quarter of 2017, Singapore PMETs comprised 70 percent of retrenchments. With the deepening of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with India, has the Singapore government played out PMETs even further?
Following the second review of the CECA, which concluded on 1 June, the Indian government declared: “In a major gain for India, Singapore agreed to expand coverage of Indian nursing institutions by recognising seven nursing institutions in the MRA. This has paved way for our healthcare service providers to institutionally access markets abroad. It will further open up doors for India to enter into similar mutual recognition arrangements with other countries.”
The big problem with the CECA is the clause regarding Inter-Corporate Transferees.
read more
INDIAN MINISTER: OUR NURSES ARE HEADED TO WORK IN S'PORE SOON
The Economic Times reported that India and Singapore are on the verge of signing a “mutual recognition agreement” that will make it easier for Indian nurses to work in Singapore.
Apparently (‘India-Singapore to sign a pact for movement of nurses‘), “India and Singapore are making progress in signing mutual recognition agreement for para-medical courses that will make it easier for domestically trained nurses to get work” in Singapore.
“Our nurses are highly sought after… we have made some progress in Singapore and soon we should have some kind of movement of nurses (to Singapore),” Additional Secretary in the Commerce Ministry J S Deepak told Indian reporters.
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How many PMETs from India came since 2005 under CECA and how many Singaporeans over to India?
I refer to the article “Review of India-S’pore economic pact not on hold: Delhi” (Straits Times, Apr 6).
It states that “India’s Commerce Ministry says it is in discussion with Singapore on providing visas for its IT professionals but denies that the issue has led to the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (Ceca) being put on hold." The India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) entered into force on 1 August 2005.
It is said that CECA increased trade and investment flows between India and Singapore. Bilateral trade grew from S$16.6 billion in 2005 to S$25.5 billion in 2013. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from India into Singapore grew from S$1.3 billion in 2005 to S$20 billion in 2012.
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Improved CECA between S & P; India and India officially recognizes Indian nurses
Trade Ministry (MTI) released a public statement yesterday (June 1) announcing that Singapore and India successfully completed the second review of the Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between India and Singapore.
"Today, in the presence of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister Loh Khum Yean, Permanent Secretary of Trade and Industry, Singapore, and Jawed Ashraf, India's High Commissioner for Singapore, exchanged a joint statement Following the end of CECA's second review, MTI announced.
The new CECA improvements include increasing tariff concessions for additional 30 products and improving the rules of origin to provide greater flexibility for Singapore exports to India in order to qualify for preferential tariffs under the agreement established MTI.
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Singapore blocks visas for Indian IT professionals
While the focus has been on the US, visas for IT professionals to work in Singapore have dropped “to a trickle”, prompting the government to put on hold the review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) citing violation of the Trade Act.
With Indian companies being advised to hire local talent, they are looking at relocating some of their operations to other countries in the region.
From HCL and TCS, which were the early movers to Singapore the list has expanded to include Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant and L&T Infotech.
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Singapore First: Quietly shutting the door on Indian techies and other foreign workers
Too crowded. (Reuters/Edgar Su)
Nearly 10,000 miles away from the anti-immigrant climate in Trump’s America, an island nation has been clamping down on Indian tech workers as part of its efforts to make sure companies give locals a fair shake, and to address concerns about overpopulation.
Singapore, which has about 5.6 million people and a workforce nearly 40% made up of nonresidents, has been ramping up measures to ensure that firms have a “Singapore core.” Officials have noted that foreign workers tend to be more common in certain industries, including food-and-beverage and technology. While Singapore hasn’t made any statements singling out Indian workers or firms, India’s IT trade industry body says it’s seen a definite change in the visa regime.
“They realized that the total number of people they have… far exceed the optimal level [the country can accommodate],” Gagan Sabharwal, director of global trade development at Nasscom, told Quartz. “That’s when they started shutting the tap down by making it more expensive, making it more cumbersome for companies.” Nasscom, the National Association of Software and Services Companies, has noted a reduction in visas over several years, but says things have become particularly tough since last year.
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INDIA MAY TAKE SINGAPORE TO WTO FOR VIOLATION OF CECA
The new measures taken by Singapore to control the influx of foreigners working in Singapore ‘has irked India as the new law does not give India a preferential treatment incorporated in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CECA) between the two countries, operational since 2005. This stance by the Singapore Government is expected to affect Indians working as middle-level managers, executives and technicians.
Speculation is rife that India might take up the issue with World Trade Organization’s (WTO) dispute settlement body. However, according to Singapore such a decision was imperative in the interest of the natives as the share of the foreign workforce is rising very rapidly.
“… I do not think we have contravened our commitments in the WTO or the CECA. Moreover, this is not specifically targeted to any one country. We remain very open to foreign talent,” a senior Singapore government official told Business Standard…. According to Indian officials involved in the negotiations, this is a violation of the services trade agreement under CECA. This will also adversely affect Indians who are working there as it might lead to job losses, especially for the middle level workers.
India has submitted a request to Singapore for addressing the matter but has not received a formal communication yet.
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Govt decries CECA violation by Singapore
Those of you planning to make it big in Singapore might be in for a setback. Singapore recently made certain changes to its Employment Pass Framework law to reduce inflow of foreign workers significantly to create more job opportunities for local professionals. The move is expected to impact even those Indians working there at present across various sectors.
The amendments, made on a proposal by its Ministry of Manpower, has armed the Singapore government to bring down the foreign share of the total workforce to around one-third while encouraging employers to invest in productivity in return for incentives in the form of tax breaks. The move came as a recent Singapore's policy paper predicted that its population would grow by 30 per cent to 6.9 million by 2030, with immigrants making up nearly half that figure. The paper led to demonstrations in Singapore yesterday, a rare happening in the country, in protest against rise in immigrants.
The step has irked India as the new law does not give India a preferential treatment incorporated in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CECA) between the two countries, operational since 2005. This stance by the Singapore Government is expected to affect Indians working as middle-level managers, executives and technicians.'
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India-S'pore pact review 'put on hold'
India has put on hold a review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (Ceca) in response to cutbacks in visa approvals for Indian software professionals bound for Singapore, according to a report in the Times of India newspaper.
Ceca is a free trade pact with Singapore & the review is meant to look at areas where the agreement could possibly be expanded.
The Times of India, quoting unnamed sources, said the government feels Singapore violated the pact by restricting the movement of software professionals. The Indian Ministry of Commerce did not respond to queries from The Straits Times on whether the agreement had been put on hold by India.
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After US, Singapore tightens work visas, advises Indian IT cos to hire more locals
After the US, Indian information technology professionals are now finding it tough to find work in Singapore, with the country advising Indian companies there to hire more locals, the Times of India reported today.
Work visas for Indian IT professionals have almost stopped and the push to hire more locals has led Indian companies to consider shifting their operations to other countries in the region. To add to hurdles on issuances, the visa authorities at Singapore are said to be demanding compliance with certain economic pre-requisites via a test called the economic needs test (ENT). The test is being conducted despite clear instructions from the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) that "no such test be done on agreed services".
Due to such violation of the trade pact, the Indian government has had to defer the review of the CECA. The government has also been forced to decide against expanding the scope of goods where import duties would be cut unless the concerns of domestic industry, both IT and banking, are addressed.
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India unhappy with restrictions
Singapore’s move to placate its locals is seen as a stumbling block to Indian workers who are looking for jobs in the republic.
INDIA may soon put a little international dimension into the growing rift over immigration between Singaporeans and their government.
It has complained that recent laws in Singapore – aimed at placating Singaporeans – were imposing restrictions on Indian professionals who intend to work in the city.
This, it says, is a violation of a bilateral free trade pact, the service portion of which grants special preferential treatment to Indian workers. The two countries signed the pact, called Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CECA), in 2005.
read more
Singapore blocks visas for Indian IT professionals
While the focus has been on the US, visas for IT professionals to work in Singapore have dropped “to a trickle”, prompting the government to put on hold the review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) citing violation of the trade pact. With Indian companies being advised to hire local talent, they are looking at relocating some of their operations to other countries in the region. From HCL and TCS, which were the early movers to Singapore, the list has expanded to include Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant and L&T Infotech.
“This (visa problem) has been lingering for a while but since early-2016, visas are down to a trickle. All Indian companies have received communication on fair consideration, which basically means hiring local people,” Nasscom president R Chandrashekhar told TOI. For all practical purposes, visas have stopped for our people, added another industry executive. Prompted by problems for IT and the banking sector — where there is lack of transparency on the capital requirement, the Indian government has now decided against expanding the scope of goods where import duties would be cut unless the concerns of domestic industry are addressed.
Sources told TOI that Singapore authorities were insisting on what is called “economic needs test” (ENT), which requires compliance with certain economic criteria, to deny access to Indian professionals. “They are doing it despite the CECA clearly stating that there will be no ENT or quotas on agreed services. This is a violation of the agreement,” said an Indian officer, who did not wish to be identified due to the ongoing negotiations.
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Investors unsettled as Singapore and India fight over futures
WHAT started as a business disagreement between 2 Asian exchanges has become a source of growing concern for international investors.
A fight between Singapore Exchange Ltd & National Stock Exchange of India Ltd over derivatives contracts is threatening to end a popular way of hedging Indian shares. The battle, which went to court in Mumbai this week, has left traders scrambling to find new ways to manage their exposure to the US$2.3 trillion market, one of Asia's biggest.
The dispute broke into the open in February after NSE said it was axing licensing agreements with overseas bourses. India is trying to discourage offshore trading and promote a tax-free trading zone in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state, part of a broader effort by Asian nations to keep control of capital while further integrating into the global financial system. That's not a combination that appeals to money managers.
read more
Mumbai exchange sues Singapore bourse to stop listing of Indian futures
Singapore Exchange has been sued by the National Stock Exchange of India that wants to stop SGX from selling and trading some Indian derivative products.
NSE brought the case in a Bombay High Court on Tuesday, which led the shares in the Singapore bourse to slide to a one-month low, as the legal tussle casts a shadow over the SGX's trading outlook. NSE wants to block SGX from listing new Indian equity futures and options. It accuses SGX of drawing liquidity away from Indian bourses.
"SGX has been notified by the [NSE] of an application made in the Bombay High Court for an interim injunction on our new products," SGX said in a Tuesday press release. Ahead of the announcement, SGX suspended the trading of its own shares. When trading resumed in the morning, its stock fell 2.3% to a one-month low of 7.46 Singapore dollars apiece ($5.5).
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NSE sues Singapore Exchange in dispute over launch of new futures contracts
The National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. sued Singapore Exchange Ltd. in a Mumbai court, escalating a dispute that threatens to leave international investors without one of the world’s most widely-used offshore futures contracts.
NSE is trying to stop its Singapore counterpart from launching derivatives that could replace the Nifty 50 contracts that have traded in the city-state for 18 years and are used to hedge positions that foreigners take in one of Asia’s biggest equity markets. Indian exchanges ended agreements that allowed offshore derivatives in February, leaving SGX and others scrambling.
“SGX has been notified by NSE of an application made in the Bombay High Court for an interim injunction on our new products,” SGX said in a statement Tuesday. “We have full confidence in our legal position and will vigorously defend this action.”
read more
Biggest India Stock Exchange Sues Singapore Bourse
The National Stock Exchange of India Ltd sued Singapore Exchange Ltd in a Mumbai court, escalating a dispute that threatens to leave international investors without one of the world’s most widely used offshore futures contracts.
NSE is trying to stop its Singapore counterpart from launching derivatives that could replace the Nifty 50 contracts that have traded in the city-state for 18 years. Global funds use these instruments to hedge their positions in one of Asia’s biggest equity markets. Indian exchanges ended agreements that allowed offshore derivatives in February, leaving SGX and others scrambling.
“This is a big mess,” said David Shin, Asia head of global equity derivative sales at TD Securities in Singapore. “I can’t see how SGX would go through with the launch when this is in the air. There’s a lot of gray here, because if investors do trade the new contract knowing this legal case is out there, is there legal liability that cuts through to the investors of the new contracts?”
read more
Singapore blocks visas for Indian IT professionals
While the focus has been on the US, visas for IT professionals to work in Singapore have dropped “to a trickle”, prompting the government to put on hold the review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) citing violation of the trade pact.
With Indian companies being advised to hire local talent, they are looking at relocating some of their operations to other countries in the region. From HCL and TCS, which were the early movers to Singapore, the list has expanded to include Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant and L&T Infotech. “This (visa problem) has been lingering for a while but since early-2016, visas are down to a trickle. All Indian companies have received communication on fair consideration, which basically means hiring local people,” Nasscom president R Chandrashekhar told TOI. For all practical purposes, visas have stopped for our people, added another industry executive. Prompted by problems for IT and the banking sector — where there is lack of transparency on the capital requirement, the Indian government has now decided against expanding the scope of goods where import duties would be cut unless the concerns of domestic industry are addressed.
Sources told TOI that Singapore authorities were insisting on what is called “economic needs test” (ENT), which requires compliance with certain economic criteria, to deny access to Indian professionals. “They are doing it despite the CECA clearly stating that there will be no ENT or quotas on agreed services. This is a violation of the agreement,” said an Indian officer, who did not wish to be identified due to the ongoing negotiations.
read more
This Is Why Singaporeans Will Not Be Protected In Our Jobs By The Government
The government has always told us that Singapore shouldn’t introduce laws to hold companies accountable, right? The government had kept saying that we should “convince” companies to be “fair”, because “laws” might be too harsh. Even the recently-introduced ‘Fair Consideration Framework’ isn’t a new law or policy and there is no legal bite or teeth in this “framework” if companies flout this “framework”.
Do you know why this is the case? Thanks to Active Citizenry on Facebook who unearthed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) Between The Republic Of India And The Republic Of Singapore, I managed to do more research to find out why. (You can also add Active Citizenry on your Facebook here.)
Do you know that the reason why Singapore cannot introduce any laws or policies to protect the employment of Singaporeans is because that in the CECA, there is a clause which prohibits this? It is said in the CECA that both India and Singapore should not “require labour market testing” (Chart 1). In other words, labour movement between countries is “free and easy”.
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read more
After US, Singapore tightens work visas, advises Indian IT cos to hire more locals
After the US, Indian information technology professionals are now finding it tough to find work in Singapore, with the country advising Indian companies there to hire more locals, the Times of India reported today.
Work visas for Indian IT professionals have almost stopped and the push to hire more locals has led Indian companies to consider shifting their operations to other countries in the region. To add to hurdles on issuances, the visa authorities at Singapore are said to be demanding compliance with certain economic pre-requisites via a test called the economic needs test (ENT). The test is being conducted despite clear instructions from the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) that "no such test be done on agreed services".
Due to such violation of the trade pact, the Indian government has had to defer the review of the CECA. The government has also been forced to decide against expanding the scope of goods where import duties would be cut unless the concerns of domestic industry, both IT and banking, are addressed.
read more
India unhappy with restrictions
Singapore’s move to placate its locals is seen as a stumbling block to Indian workers who are looking for jobs in the republic.
INDIA may soon put a little international dimension into the growing rift over immigration between Singaporeans and their government.
It has complained that recent laws in Singapore – aimed at placating Singaporeans – were imposing restrictions on Indian professionals who intend to work in the city.
This, it says, is a violation of a bilateral free trade pact, the service portion of which grants special preferential treatment to Indian workers. The two countries signed the pact, called Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CECA), in 2005.
read more
Singapore blocks visas for Indian IT professionals
While the focus has been on the US, visas for IT professionals to work in Singapore have dropped “to a trickle”, prompting the government to put on hold the review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) citing violation of the trade pact. With Indian companies being advised to hire local talent, they are looking at relocating some of their operations to other countries in the region. From HCL and TCS, which were the early movers to Singapore, the list has expanded to include Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant and L&T Infotech.
“This (visa problem) has been lingering for a while but since early-2016, visas are down to a trickle. All Indian companies have received communication on fair consideration, which basically means hiring local people,” Nasscom president R Chandrashekhar told TOI. For all practical purposes, visas have stopped for our people, added another industry executive. Prompted by problems for IT and the banking sector — where there is lack of transparency on the capital requirement, the Indian government has now decided against expanding the scope of goods where import duties would be cut unless the concerns of domestic industry are addressed.
Sources told TOI that Singapore authorities were insisting on what is called “economic needs test” (ENT), which requires compliance with certain economic criteria, to deny access to Indian professionals. “They are doing it despite the CECA clearly stating that there will be no ENT or quotas on agreed services. This is a violation of the agreement,” said an Indian officer, who did not wish to be identified due to the ongoing negotiations.
read more
Investors unsettled as Singapore and India fight over futures
WHAT started as a business disagreement between 2 Asian exchanges has become a source of growing concern for international investors.
A fight between Singapore Exchange Ltd & National Stock Exchange of India Ltd over derivatives contracts is threatening to end a popular way of hedging Indian shares. The battle, which went to court in Mumbai this week, has left traders scrambling to find new ways to manage their exposure to the US$2.3 trillion market, one of Asia's biggest.
The dispute broke into the open in February after NSE said it was axing licensing agreements with overseas bourses. India is trying to discourage offshore trading and promote a tax-free trading zone in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state, part of a broader effort by Asian nations to keep control of capital while further integrating into the global financial system. That's not a combination that appeals to money managers.
read more
Mumbai exchange sues Singapore bourse to stop listing of Indian futures
Singapore Exchange has been sued by the National Stock Exchange of India that wants to stop SGX from selling and trading some Indian derivative products.
NSE brought the case in a Bombay High Court on Tuesday, which led the shares in the Singapore bourse to slide to a one-month low, as the legal tussle casts a shadow over the SGX's trading outlook. NSE wants to block SGX from listing new Indian equity futures and options. It accuses SGX of drawing liquidity away from Indian bourses.
"SGX has been notified by the [NSE] of an application made in the Bombay High Court for an interim injunction on our new products," SGX said in a Tuesday press release. Ahead of the announcement, SGX suspended the trading of its own shares. When trading resumed in the morning, its stock fell 2.3% to a one-month low of 7.46 Singapore dollars apiece ($5.5).
read more
NSE sues Singapore Exchange in dispute over launch of new futures contracts
The National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. sued Singapore Exchange Ltd. in a Mumbai court, escalating a dispute that threatens to leave international investors without one of the world’s most widely-used offshore futures contracts.
NSE is trying to stop its Singapore counterpart from launching derivatives that could replace the Nifty 50 contracts that have traded in the city-state for 18 years and are used to hedge positions that foreigners take in one of Asia’s biggest equity markets. Indian exchanges ended agreements that allowed offshore derivatives in February, leaving SGX and others scrambling.
“SGX has been notified by NSE of an application made in the Bombay High Court for an interim injunction on our new products,” SGX said in a statement Tuesday. “We have full confidence in our legal position and will vigorously defend this action.”
read more
Biggest India Stock Exchange Sues Singapore Bourse
The National Stock Exchange of India Ltd sued Singapore Exchange Ltd in a Mumbai court, escalating a dispute that threatens to leave international investors without one of the world’s most widely used offshore futures contracts.
NSE is trying to stop its Singapore counterpart from launching derivatives that could replace the Nifty 50 contracts that have traded in the city-state for 18 years. Global funds use these instruments to hedge their positions in one of Asia’s biggest equity markets. Indian exchanges ended agreements that allowed offshore derivatives in February, leaving SGX and others scrambling.
“This is a big mess,” said David Shin, Asia head of global equity derivative sales at TD Securities in Singapore. “I can’t see how SGX would go through with the launch when this is in the air. There’s a lot of gray here, because if investors do trade the new contract knowing this legal case is out there, is there legal liability that cuts through to the investors of the new contracts?”
read more
Singapore blocks visas for Indian IT professionals
While the focus has been on the US, visas for IT professionals to work in Singapore have dropped “to a trickle”, prompting the government to put on hold the review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) citing violation of the trade pact.
With Indian companies being advised to hire local talent, they are looking at relocating some of their operations to other countries in the region. From HCL and TCS, which were the early movers to Singapore, the list has expanded to include Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant and L&T Infotech. “This (visa problem) has been lingering for a while but since early-2016, visas are down to a trickle. All Indian companies have received communication on fair consideration, which basically means hiring local people,” Nasscom president R Chandrashekhar told TOI. For all practical purposes, visas have stopped for our people, added another industry executive. Prompted by problems for IT and the banking sector — where there is lack of transparency on the capital requirement, the Indian government has now decided against expanding the scope of goods where import duties would be cut unless the concerns of domestic industry are addressed.
Sources told TOI that Singapore authorities were insisting on what is called “economic needs test” (ENT), which requires compliance with certain economic criteria, to deny access to Indian professionals. “They are doing it despite the CECA clearly stating that there will be no ENT or quotas on agreed services. This is a violation of the agreement,” said an Indian officer, who did not wish to be identified due to the ongoing negotiations.
read more
This Is Why Singaporeans Will Not Be Protected In Our Jobs By The Government
The government has always told us that Singapore shouldn’t introduce laws to hold companies accountable, right? The government had kept saying that we should “convince” companies to be “fair”, because “laws” might be too harsh. Even the recently-introduced ‘Fair Consideration Framework’ isn’t a new law or policy and there is no legal bite or teeth in this “framework” if companies flout this “framework”.
Do you know why this is the case? Thanks to Active Citizenry on Facebook who unearthed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) Between The Republic Of India And The Republic Of Singapore, I managed to do more research to find out why. (You can also add Active Citizenry on your Facebook here.)
Do you know that the reason why Singapore cannot introduce any laws or policies to protect the employment of Singaporeans is because that in the CECA, there is a clause which prohibits this? It is said in the CECA that both India and Singapore should not “require labour market testing” (Chart 1). In other words, labour movement between countries is “free and easy”.
read more
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