Singapore to hire 60,000 Indians

Jobs in Singapore are a big attraction for Indians, since Singapore offers higher pay rates and better living conditions than India. Singapore too is keen to attract more Indian professionals to meet its skills shortage.

Jobs in Singapore for Indians are set to increase as there are more than 300,000 jobs, mostly middle and senior management positions, up for grabs in Singapore this year, only about half of which can be filled by professionals in Singapore.

The other half will have to be filled by overseas talent, and the country expects to offer about 20 percent of this positions to professionals in India. That’s about 60,000 jobs that can be filled by Indians.

What attracts Indians to Singapore?

Job opportunities in Singapore are very attractive to Indians since the country has strong assimilation with Indian culture. The climate is similar to India’s. But the most-critical factor is Singapore’s high pay rates. Salary is the biggest attraction, says Jayanthi Y, chairman of hiring firm AdAstra Consultants in an interview to an Indian newspaper.

“Professionals receive 4 to 5 times what they are paid in India.”

Singapore has one of the lowest income tax rates in the world. Many companies in Singapore are run from economic zones where the highest income tax tax rate is only 15 percent.

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Also India is only three hours away by flight, which makes it easier for Indians in Singapore to visit India every year. The traffic conditions, safety standards and career growth prospects are other attractions for Indians migrating to Singapore.

What jobs are available in Singapore?

Singapore has managed to sustain it economic activities despite global recessionary winds – offering possibilities of Jobs in Singapore for Indians. “Singaporean firms’ requirement for talent had multiplied this year, with all markets in the region growing,” says Zubin Shroff, partner in executive search firm Braithwaite Steiner Pretty. “This is creating opportunities for many Indian professionals from across industries.”

Singapore is home to many multinational banks, manufacturing plants and IT companies. Jobs are available in manufacturing, textiles, mining, IT, banking, hospitality and healthcare.

Singapore is offering jobs at all levels – from graduate jobs to senior management roles, especially in IT and software industries, where there is shortage of local skills, and India has abundant IT skills.

Also, other major industries that are hiring include: chemical and biomedical sciences, media, electronics, engineering and maritime services.

New media and communications, software, business analysis and nursing are some of the skills which are in high demand in Singapore.

However, freight transport and shipping have not seen much growth in Singapore.

What are the visa requirements?

If you are not a Singapore citizen, you need to apply for an Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC). This certificate gives you a Social Visit Pass (SVP). The SVP gives you one year to look for a job in Singapore.

Once you secure a job offer, you can apply for a work permit.

What are the language requirements in Singapore?

English is the main language of business and is also one of the official languages in Singapore. However, most locals are at least bilingual. Mandarin, Malay and Tamil are other official languages.

What about long working hours?

While most professionals in India work long hours, Singapore does not have the culture of working very late. However, people in Singapore are very punctual and the average working week is 44 hours, which is longer than those in most western countries. Singapore has 11 public holidays.