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Independent Singapore
30 minutes ago
- Independent Singapore
17-year-old foreigner in Singapore opens up about repeated PR rejections: ‘This is my only home'
SINGAPORE: A 17-year-old student from Myanmar has opened up on social media about his growing frustration and anxiety over being repeatedly rejected for permanent residency (PR) in Singapore. In a post on the r/sgexams subreddit, he shared that he's lived in Singapore since he was three and has pretty much grown up like any other local teen. He speaks fluent Singlish, actively volunteers, takes part in school competitions, and feels deeply connected to the country and its culture. He added that both his parents are already permanent residents, and his mother has submitted multiple applications for his PR over the years. Unfortunately, every single one has been rejected without any clear explanation. He also expressed frustration at the common advice people tend to give him when they hear about his situation. 'When I tell my other friends about my problem, or like my mom tells her friends, they always say just serve NS lah, then become PR. Hellooooo, I am not PR. Foreigners cannot serve NS. I am so sick of hearing that same advice,' he said. 'Of course, I want to serve NS. My best friends are also serving, and Singapore is my only home. IT IS ALL I KNOW. I would be happy to join this brotherhood; 2 years is nothing for staying here with my loved ones. I have no connections to Myanmar at all. I am just, like, kind of mad at the system, I guess.' He also opened up about how, even though he's part Chinese and doesn't look too different from his peers, he still hears remarks that sting. Aunties and uncles at bus stops still ask him where he's from. And when his classmates complain about foreigners 'stealing jobs,' they suddenly get awkward when they remember he's technically one too. 'I mean, I get what they mean, but I am still hurt. Because no matter how much I believe that I have fully integrated, people don't care. They only care about the colour of your IC and the colour of your passport. The only thing that matters is the start and end of your NRIC.' He then admitted to feeling scared about the future, especially the possibility of drifting apart from his closest friends during the next two years. He said, 'I am scared that my best friends and I will grow distant over these 2 years. I love them so much. I know that sounds so gay. But I really do love them and they love me. I don't want to be separated for, like, a whole 2 years.' He ended his post with a heartfelt plea for support, asking others to offer advice and to pray for him. 'Do more volunteer work to add to your profile.' In the discussion thread, one Singaporean Redditor suggested, 'You should apply yourself as a student pass holder. You have a high chance of getting in since you did really well for O levels. I have heard stories of people who applied themselves and got PR in JC. If I remember correctly, they don't even have a home here. Also yes, they are not Chinese.' Another cheered him up, saying, 'It is tough growing up as a third culture kid. The challenge of identity and acceptance continues to be something you have to face. Sincerely wishing you the best and rooting for the day you become a citizen now.' A third advised, 'Do more volunteer work to add to your profile. E.g., a few years of weekly volunteering at an elderly home or helping kids with tuition or distribution of food, etc. Your contribution to SG will help to increase your chances.' In other news, netizens were shocked when a foreigner shared on social media that he spends around S$200-250 on a single date with his Singaporean girlfriend. Posting on the r/askSingapore subreddit on Saturday (March 8), the foreigner explained that their bill easily reaches S$150 whenever they go out for a meal in a 'not very atas' restaurant like Xiang Xiang, Sushiro, or BBQ Box. Read more: Foreigner spending S$200-250 on each date with Singaporean girlfriend shocks netizens Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Independent Singapore
31 minutes ago
- Independent Singapore
'What should I do if I'm promoted in title only, but get no pay raise?'
SINGAPORE: A local Reddit user who said they may get 'promoted' without a corresponding increase in their pay—meaning it will be in name only—took to the platform to crowdsource wisdom as to how to handle the situation. In a recent post on r/askSingapore, u/TheOne0003 asked if a nyone has gotten 'promoted' without a corresponding pay rise? 'I might face this situation next year. Say my current designation is 'Manager of Rubbish Dumps'. Next year, it will be 'Director of Rubbish Dumps and Public Toilets' officially on paper. 'So it will involve wearing another hat and manager to director is a 'promotion', but the big big boss is keeping mum about the $,' they wrote, asking how others who have found themselves in this situation have navigated it. The most upvoted comment on the post have it to the post author directly. It reads, 'If no increment, it means it's actually a pay cut.' A Reddit user urged the post author to take it, at least for now, given the current state of the job market. 'I suggest taking it. Then once you have been promoted to 'Director of Rubbish Dumps etc,' , start looking for a job. The job market is not good atm. Then you can quote a higher expected salary to the new company and apply for director positions moving forward.' A commenter who did this wrote, 'I took the promotion without any pay increment, did the role for half a year so there's relevant experiences to write in the resume and talk about achievements. Thereafter I started search for a job and found a role that had the same title but paid double the salary.' Another agreed, saying that they would 'Use the title to find another job while doing the absolute minimum for the additional title.' Some commenters advised the post author to advocate for themself, with one writing, 'Discuss your expectations directly with the boss. Politely lay out your reasoning. Ask if there's any reason why the increment for taking on the new role hasn't been discussed yet. Be prepared to state your % expectation in case he/she asks for it. Try to make him/her commit to a timeframe, if not immediate pay raise then ask for mid-cycle or next cycle.' Another agreed. 'Negotiate for increment. If you never ask for it, you never know isn't it? And sometimes they are just pushing their luck to promote without increment too. If people don't negotiate, they won't give increment. Such a thing exists.' One netizen, however, had a completely different, if perhaps not easily achievable, take. 'Learn the ropes and start a new company to compete with your boss. It's called 'promoted outwards,'' they wrote. /TISG Read also: 'I don't want to play this game' — Man says his coworker turned hostile on him after promotion rumours
Independent Singapore
31 minutes ago
- Independent Singapore
‘I'm really at a loss': Son worried as father with stage 4 cancer leaves behind unpaid loans and bills
SINGAPORE: A son took to Reddit to share that his father is in the final stages of stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and to make matters worse, there are several unpaid bills piling up. Posting on the r/askSingapore forum on Tuesday (Jul 1), the son explained that his father has been warded and bedbound in the hospital since early June. He is heavily sedated with painkillers like fentanyl and morphine, and has become increasingly delirious, with little awareness of what is happening around him. Despite being a high earner with access to CPF funds and having comprehensive insurance that covers most medical expenses, the father has left behind a number of outstanding financial obligations. The son revealed that two months ago, his father bought a COE-renewed car and took a loan of around S$1,500 a month, despite his mother suggesting that he pay in full. More recently, he also insisted on renovating their home, pushing through with the works against his wife's objections. The renovation cost is in the low five figures, and he is now refusing to pay the contractors. The son added that his mother, who earns less and has limited liquidity, has been covering all household expenses in recent months. When she asked her husband to contribute his share, he got 'angry, accused the family of trying to steal his money, and went to sleep.' 'Realistically what can we even do? If borrowing money is not an option, what then? The family car gets repo-ed? Contractors come to tear down our renovation? Ride it out as long as possible and wait for the inheritance?' the son wrote. 'DO NOT get me wrong, we are not fighting for his money; my entire family loves each other genuinely, but liddat dont pay bills also cannot right? Really at a loss.' 'You're going to have to offload whatever you can.' In the comments, one Singaporean Redditor advised, 'Do you guys need the car? If not, sell it. Otherwise, reach out to the finance company and explain to them the situation. If need be, your mum needs to at least pay the outstanding amount for now. Do not let it get re-po. There will be additional costs involved.' Another wrote, 'Hope he has done his nomination for cpf and has done a will. If not, do arrange quickly otherwise you're going to incur lawyer fees to get the monies under his name.' A third added, 'You're going to have to offload whatever you can. Sell the car today. If he has stocks, sell it and use it to pay off the debt. Things like the house, rent it out and collect cash flow to use to pay for the loans. If there's credit card debt, settle as much as you can or move them to a personal loan structure.' In other news, a 20-year-old woman shared on Reddit that her mum forced her to start working right after polytechnic. In her post on the r/SGExams forum, she shared that her mum believed further education wasn't necessary for girls and insisted she skip university to jump straight into a full-time job. Although she admitted she was never particularly passionate about studying, the fact that she had no say in the matter made work feel more like a punishment than a personal choice. Read more: 20 y/o woman says her mum forced her to start working right after polytechnic Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
