PAP fools Sinkies by creating new catergory work pass to bring in more foreigners.

[A Singaporean]

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New work pass in Singapore for top-tier foreign tech professionals to launch in January
The tech sector is poised to be a large engine of growth for Singapore.
The tech sector is poised to be a large engine of growth for Singapore.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Hariz Baharudin
PUBLISHED7 HOURS AGO
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SINGAPORE - A new work pass will be launched next year for top-tier foreign professionals and experts looking to start businesses, lead corporate teams or teach here, in a bid to woo these people to Singapore and develop its high-potential tech ecosystem.

The Economic Development Board announced plans on Thursday (Nov 12) to launch Tech.Pass, which is planned to put Singapore ahead in the global race to attract highly skilled technology professionals in fields such as e-commerce, artificial intelligence and cyber security.

Tech.Pass will be valid for two years, with a one-time renewal for a subsequent two years that will depend on certain criteria. Applications for the pass will start in January 2021, with 500 places available upon launch.


Having such experts in Singapore will not only allow them to bring their capital, networks and know-how to the country's tech ecosystem, but it will also create opportunities for Singaporeans too, said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing.

"Tech.Pass will add to the critical mass of established tech talent in Singapore and create a flywheel effect to further strengthen our position as a leading tech hub for the region," said Mr Chan at the launch of Tech.Pass on Thursday at a dialogue with the European Chamber of Commerce.

The tech sector is poised to be a large engine of growth for Singapore, and a study done by Temasek, Google and consultancy Bain & Company published on Tuesday found that the country's Internet economy - or business conducted online - is on track to reach US$22 billion (S$29.7 billion) by 2025

 

[congo9]

Yes, what the difference between this type of work pass and previous? I really don't know quite get the logic behind this kind of work pass? How does it differ? Do our ecosystem attract need this type of people? Can our eco system sustain this kind of hiring?

 

[mojito]

Very discriminate. How can have this pass when ceca is free flow? Laughing stock of the tech world.

 

[syed putra]

Except for for Malays, everyone else are foreigners.

 

[sweetiepie]

KNN my uncle think if sinkie can be so easily fooled then they leeserve to be fooled KNN

 

[50000]

small space Jo need to show that she got do some work

 

[nayr69sg]

Top tier tech professionals

D8meet singh

 

[laksaboy]

Top tier tech talents won't come to Sinkieland. Not even as a 'stepping stone'.

 

[mojito]

Top tier tech talents won't come to Sinkieland. Not even as a 'stepping stone'.

Many grants, edb moneys to be had. Thanks for all the fish!

 

[mudhatter]

Top tier tech talents won't come to Sinkieland. Not even as a 'stepping stone'.

Hard truths.

Only lee-jected CECA will pick stinkypura.

Stinky PAP-pigs brag they are pragmatic.

Yet it is their dogmatic obstinacy that puts stinkypura existence at stake.

No politician in Malaysia or Indonesia bothers about taking back Stinkypura or merger with Stinkypura. It's too tiny stuffy humid hot dictatorial and got nothing attractive whatsoever.

It was that dead old fart Harry Lee the chink bastard who talked about merger with Malaysia, again, but of coz in order to 'save face' in typically Chink fashion, so that his cockups won't hog the headlines, he accused Malaysia of racism.

Not mentining Stinkypura is worse for the natives and for all Muslims (stinkypura does not even admit Muslim immigrants en masse while importing all sorts of kafir ) the "Malaysians" that move to stinkypura are overwhelmingly slanty pig trotter slurpers spreading chink virus


so long as pap-pigs remain obstinate, more and more difficult years ahead for stinkypura

 

[birdie69]

Yes, what the difference between this type of work pass and previous? I really don't know quite get the logic behind this kind of work pass? How does it differ? Do our ecosystem attract need this type of people? Can our eco system sustain this kind of hiring?

Even a fake one also can be issued this new pass?

 

[batman1]

Sinkees are very happy. No complaints.

 

[millim6868]

61 % sinkies are dumb , they come out with so call special pass n keep bring in ah neh n tiong to fool sinkies, cos CCS say before sinkies are idiots n dumb , lol

 

[Pinkieslut]

Sinkies are Low iq fugly cmi peasants !
Quickly import more global talents to LeePlaced these defective genes!

 

[CPTMiller]

Yes, what the difference between this type of work pass and previous? I really don't know quite get the logic behind this kind of work pass? How does it differ? Do our ecosystem attract need this type of people? Can our eco system sustain this kind of hiring?

Since which in the world has so many different pass immigration passes?
You can check.
This is how they confused people when make statistics on employment numbers

 

[Hypocrite-The]

Netizens voice concerns over new Tech.Pass work pass despite Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing’s assurance it will not replace locals’ jobs

by S.Ling

12 November 2020

in Comments, Labour, Tech

Reading Time: 4min read
66

In a bid to develop Singapore’s tech ecosystem, the Economic Development Board (EDB) on Thursday (12 November) announced that it will launch a new work pass called Tech.Pass, which aims to “attract founders, leaders and technical experts with experience in established or fast-growing tech companies”.
“The Tech.Pass will be open for application in January 2021, with 500 places available upon launch,” EDB said in a statement, adding that the scheme is an extension of the Tech@SG programme launched in 2019.
According to EDB, Tech.Pass holders will have the flexibility to participate in activities such as starting and operating a business, being an investor, employee, consultant or director in one or more Singapore-based companies, mentoring start-ups and lecturing at local universities.
“This is part of Singapore’s multi-pronged approach to develop a strong base of technology companies and talent to ensure Singapore remains globally competitive. This will also create more opportunities for local tech talent to work in globally competitive teams alongside top tech talent from all over the world,” EDB’s statement read.
Tech.Pass different from Employment Pass, will not replace locals’ jobs: Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing
In a closed-door dialogue with the European Chamber of Commerce (EUROCHAM), the Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing explained that the Tech.Pass “is different from existing employment passes (EP)” because it does not require the person to be employed by or tied to a particular company to qualify.

TODAY reported Mr Chan as saying so in response to a question on whether the launching of the new pass will result in stiffer competition of top jobs for local talents.
“This is not about replacing the locals… These are the entrepreneurs that we want. It is not about working for one particular company to take the locals’ jobs – this is a totally different kettle of fish altogether,” he remarked.
The Minister went on to say: “The Tech.Pass holders will bring with them not just the knowledge and networks, but also the kind of contacts that they have across the entire global system.”
“So that this will strengthen ourselves as a tech hub for the region, if not for the world,” he noted.
He also mentioned that authorities “will not just look at look at someone’s credentials in terms of their academic qualifications” for Tech.Pass eligibility — they will also access the applicants based on their track record in founding or leading sizeable tech companies as well as in the development of tech products with mass adoption.
“I am confident that Tech.Pass will add to the critical mass of established tech talent in Singapore and create a flywheel effect to further strengthen our position as a leading tech hub for the region.

“This will generate many more exciting career and collaboration opportunities for our local talent and companies,” the Minister noted.
Eligibility criteria for Tech.Pass
As stated in the EDB website, in order to be eligible for Tech.Pass, the applicants must meet two of the three criteria:

• Have a last drawn fixed monthly salary of at least S$20,000 in the last one-year;
• Have at least five cumulative years of experience in a leading role in a tech company with a valuation or market cap of at least US$500 million or at least US$30 million funding raised;
• Have at least five cumulative years of experience in a leading role in the development of a tech product that has at least 100,000 monthly active users or at least US$100 million annual revenue.

It also stated that the Tech.Pass will be valid for two years, with a one-time renewal for a subsequent two years. The consideration for renewal at the end of two years will depend on meeting the renewal criteria.
Netizens’ reaction
The announcement about the launching of Tech.Pass, however, seems unappealing to the netizens.
Penning their comments on the Facebook page of TODAY, some netizens doubted whether Singapore’s education system, often touted as “one of the best in the world”, can produce talents, seeing how Singapore still “need to depend so much on foreign talents”.
“Our education system seems to be a failure. Everything needs to import…such to the extent of importing talents from developing nations,” a netizen wrote.

Several netizens also expressed their hope that the Government will address issues first such as unemployment and retrenchment among locals before focusing on attracting top tech entrepreneurs from other countries.

Expressing skepticism towards the Government’s intention, a handful of netizens pointed out that the Government is “trying to smoke the citizens” and “finding excuses” to bring more foreign talents.
One of the netizens also opined that the Government “on one hand restrict EP to prove they are doing something to appease the people, on the other hand create new passes for FTs.”

On the part of netizens who see “no issues” with Tech.Pass, however, they also implored the Government to “vet properly” and “do a background check” before approving their applications.

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[Hypocrite-The]

New work pass to help Singapore attract foreign tech talent, says PM Lee
PM Lee giving a keynote speech at the Singapore Tech Forum 2020
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attends the Singapore Tech Forum 2020 on Nov 17, 2020. (Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information)
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SINGAPORE: Singapore needs more technology talent and a newly announced work pass hopes to help the country attract “highly accomplished” individuals in this field, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday (Nov 17) night.

Delivering a keynote speech at the Singapore Tech Forum 2020, Mr Lee said the Tech.Pass, launched last week by the Economic Development Board, is targeted at “the movers and shakers of the tech world”.

He described these as individuals who usually play different roles at once – founder, investor, employee, consultant and academic – and can contribute to multiple parts of the ecosystem with their capital, networks and knowledge.

Unlike the Employment Pass that is tied to a particular job or employer, the new work pass “will be personal to the holder”, giving them flexibility to move between roles and employers, he added.

Five hundred passes will be made available from January 2021 when applications open.

“This will be something I hope to make people sit up and take notice, and will help us to attract talent to Singapore,” said the Prime Minister.

READ: Singapore to launch new pass for foreign tech industry experts; applications open in January
Mr Lee, who delivered his speech via a Facebook livestream, said talent is key as Singapore develops its technology ecosystem.

The country already has an environment that supports science and technology, with a tech-literate population and the presence of good infrastructure such as a high-speed nationwide broadband network.

The Government is building up its own IT engineering capabilities through the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech), while developing the entire tech eco-system and digital industry.

“Many major tech companies are now based here and they are doing engineering work, not just sales and marketing,” he said, citing tech giants like Google, Facebook and Amazon. This has created a vibrant industry cluster and good jobs for Singaporeans, he added.

READ: Commentary: Singapore's new growth strategy for tomorrow involves luring 500 global tech leaders today
“So the pieces are all gradually coming into place but the key thing which makes it all work is talent,” said Mr Lee.

“We need more tech talent to grow the industry and to tackle the urgent problems that we have and that tech can help us to solve.”

The Prime Minister noted a growing pipeline of talent in the local universities and polytechnics. Companies also bring in foreign talent, including experienced professionals at the mid-to senior-levels which Singapore lacks.

But he acknowledged the possibility of social issues arising when there are “large numbers of foreign professionals” in an industry. In particular, Singaporeans in the same field may feel a sense of competition and discomfort.

Such anxieties also tend to “rise up to the surface” during economic downturns when people are worried about their jobs, he added.

READ: Bring Singaporeans back home, grow local talent for Smart Nation efforts: Vivian Balakrishnan
This is not unique to Singapore but the country acknowledges these issues “candidly” and does its best to address them, said Mr Lee.

“It requires both sides to work at it. The non-Singaporeans have to make the effort to fit in, both at work and socially, when they are in Singapore.

“And the Singaporeans on their part have to be able to understand that this is how new jobs and more jobs will be created in Singapore, and have to feel assured that they will be fairly treated and not be discriminated against,” he said.

Further, Singaporeans must see the tech companies as bringing in expertise and experience, as well as building up the industry and capabilities.

“So that our own people can learn from them, upgrade themselves and eventually build up our own talent pool,” he added.

“And this is how our policies work. This is how we work our work passes in Singapore.”

READ: As COVID-19 speeds up automation, what does the future hold for non-tech job seekers?
SINGAPORE’S VALUE PROPOSITION

Mr Lee was asked about Singapore’s value proposition to talents from around the world during a question-and-answer segment after his keynote speech.

The moderator – Ms Karen Tay, Smart Nation director in the Prime Minister’s Office – named several factors that talents look out for when deciding on a job, namely the breadth of opportunities and livability of a city, as well as the culture of a city and company.

She added that some have said Singapore may be different from other major tech hubs in terms of its sociopolitical culture, stance on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) issues, as well as a workplace culture that remains hierarchical.

In his reply, Mr Lee noted that Singapore presents plenty of challenges, such as bringing Government systems up to speed given how it encompasses engineering, organiational and social difficulties.

Meanwhile, a range of tech companies are growing and doing engineering work here. “Really, the constraint is a chicken and egg problem. If there’s more talent, then they'll be able to do more of these engineering work but they are looking to do it in Singapore,” he said.

READ: More tech jobs to come as MCI steps up job creation for fresh graduates, mid-career professionals
On workplace culture, Mr Lee said this depends on individual companies. Existing organisations may find it difficult to change, although some have set up “skunk works” to develop different styles of working. Singapore also wants to develop new organisations with “fresh cultures” and these are under way.

Turning to other cultural aspects, he said Singapore used to be called a “cultural desert” but it has become a vibrant city for arts, music, dance and theatre.

Mr Lee also noted that Singapore has been open to the LGBTQ community.

“We welcome them, we really appreciate their contributions,” he said. “And it's no reason why if you’re a member of this community, you should not fit in in Singapore.”

He pointed out that while Singapore may not have the same “extremely liberal” social norms as San Francisco, which is home to Silicon Valley, there are differences even within the United States.

In multi-racial and multi-religious Southeast Asia, issues like homosexuality “will be sensitive for a long time” but attitudes “are not fixed in stone”. The younger generation, for instance, have more liberal views than their older counterparts.

“So these things shift but we have to give them time to shift and I think it is unwise to force it because there will be a push back and you will end up with polarisation,” said Mr Lee.

TECH CRUCIAL IN SINGAPORE’S COVID-19 RESPONSE

In his keynote speech, the Prime Minister also touched on the role of technology in the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The situation in Singapore is now “stable” with “better defences” in testing, contact tracing and safe distancing measures in place. These have allowed a gradual resumption of economic and social activities, including some overseas travel, as it awaits the confirmation of a safe and effective vaccine.

PM Lee giving a keynote speech at the Singapore Tech Forum 2020 (2)
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attends the Singapore Tech Forum 2020 on Nov 17, 2020. (Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information)
Technology has been “a crucial part” of this journey, said Mr Lee.

For one, biomedical science has played a big part in analysing the genome of the novel coronavirus, understanding disease patterns and trends, as well as developing tests and treatments.

Infotech has also been crucial in various ways. These include the tracking of the status, well-being and location of large numbers of cases, the collecting and analysing of COVID-19 data for locating hotspots, patterns and trends, as well as ensuring compliance with stay-home notices.

When it comes to contact tracing, technology enabled the development of various solutions such as Bluetooth-based tool TraceTogether, national check-in system SafeEntry and databases like VISION, which integrates existing databases to speed up contact tracing and issue quarantine orders promptly.

This is in contrast to how contract tracing was a “manual and labour-intensive business” in 2003 during the SARS outbreak, said Mr Lee.

But Singapore’s response “was not flawless” and many blind spots were discovered.

For instance, not all of the Government’s IT systems were using up-to-date techniques like APIs or cloud systems, and working seamlessly together.

“And when cases are multiplying, all these delays and inefficiencies make a difference,” said Mr Lee.

READ: Singapore has done well so far in fight against COVID-19, but must learn from errors: PM Lee
As a result, new products like VISION had to be developed “in a hurry”.

“(They are) more than minimum viable products, but they are far from polished versions and still work in progress. But they showed we had some in-house capability… Most importantly through building them, we learned … the importance of ‘Ops-tech’,” he said.

“That means the operations have to be enmeshed with the technology requirements right from the start and the tech people have to be involved early and have to work closely with the (operations) people to understand the operating conditions, to understand the requirements (and) to be able to meet the requirements.”

Going beyond COVID-19, technology is a “command function” in a lot of Government activities, from healthcare to public housing, Mr Lee said, adding: “Without tech, you are stuck.”

Senior leaders will have to understand that tech is “central to their role (in) governing Singapore and doing public administration”.

More will need to understand and appreciate technology, and there must be enough public service leaders who can provide technical leadership on complex engineering projects while taking into account the social and policy aspects, added the Prime Minister.

RCEP “A MAJOR STEP FORWARD”

Among the other topics raised during the question-and-answer segment, Mr Lee was asked how the newly signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will affect the tech scene in Singapore and the opportunities it has for start-ups.

Launched in 2012, RCEP is a trade pact between the 10-member ASEAN bloc, along with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Dubbed the world’s biggest trade agreement, it was signed over the weekend after eight years of wrangling over details.