IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? In anticipation of the new Fair Consideration Framework, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is reminding employers to register for a Jobs Bank account.

What does the change mean? Starting Aug. 1, companies will not be able to apply for Employment Passes until they have registered an account and advertised the position on the Jobs Bank.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Employment Passes.
  • Who is affected: Employers sponsoring foreign workers for Employment Passes.
  • Impact on processing times: It takes approximately two weeks to register an account and a job must be advertised for at least 14 days.
  • Business impact: Late registration will delay a company’s ability to apply for Employment Passes and schedule assignments.
  • Next steps: Employers should immediately set up a Jobs Bank account by following the steps here.

Background: MOM is advising companies to register immediately on the government’s Jobs Bank so that they may be eligible to apply for Employment Passes under the Fair Considerations Framework that starts Aug. 1. The Framework requires that employers post vacancies on the Jobs Bank for at least 14 days before they may apply for Employment Passes. Companies with 25 or fewer employees, however, are exempt from the Framework.

BAL Analysis: Employers should allow four weeks to set up an account and advertise a job on the Jobs Bank.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in Singapore. For additional information, please contact singapore@bal.com.

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