AT Eucalyptus Day Spa & Training Academy, foreign staff used to have to go for two similar medical examinations within a short period of two months - first to apply for a long-term social visit pass (LTSVP) from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), and then for a work permit from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Said Christina Tan, director of the company: 'I felt that there was no need to incur the cost of a medical check-up twice within two months. I was thinking, surely ICA and Manpower Ministry, both part of the same government, could share the same report.'
Her story is a good example of how businesses often have to deal with multiple agencies when applying for licences and permits, and end up submitting information to a government agency which another agency already has. This makes the application process more onerous and time-consuming than it should.
'We are very happy with the outcome. For small businesses like ours, any change that helps the company or staff to save time and effort is most welcome.' - Christina Tan
In fact, the firm is not alone in facing such problems, as Cheong Yee Chek, an officer from the Building Control Authority (BCA), noticed the same problem when he received many requests from businesses for records of their certificates of statutory completion (CSC) and temporary occupation permits (TOP).
These documents, which indicate the approved use for the factory premises, were required for the application of a factory licence from MOM. The requirement exists even though many of the buildings involved had been occupied for years. Moreover, BCA could take action against unauthorised occupation, regardless whether the building is used as a factory or not.
Both Ms Tan and Mr Cheong submitted suggestions to the Pro-Enterprise Panel (PEP), proposing that government agencies work together, remove duplication, and save time and costs for both the businesses and the government.
As a result, foreigners who applied for work permits from the Ministry of Manpower within a year of undergoing their medical examinations for LTSVP will not need to undergo another round of medical examinations. An elated Ms Tan said: 'We are very happy with the outcome. For small businesses like ours, any change that helps the company or staff to save time and effort is most welcome.'
From Dec 1, 2007, the requirement for factory occupiers to submit CSC/TOP as supporting documents for application of a factory licence was removed. A win-win outcome is achieved.
Businesses applying for a factory licence no longer have to pay BCA for the TOP/CSC records at $30 per application and wait a week or two for them. BCA and MOM also save on their processing time and efforts.
The PEP can help the small and medium-sized businesses articulate their concerns and submit suggestions on their behalf. No suggestion is too minor for PEP.
Satisfied customer: Foreigners who apply for work permits within a year of undergoing medical tests for their long-term social visit pass will not need to undergo another round
If businesses encounter red tape or think that certain rules or policies need to be reviewed and revised to promote entrepreneurship, they can bring it to the attention of PEP. The panel will ensure that the rule is carefully evaluated, and modified where required, to support an even more pro-business environment in Singapore.
The PEP was established in 2000 to actively solicit feedback from businesses on how government rules and regulations can be improved to create a more pro-enterprise environment in Singapore.
The PEP is chaired by the Head of Civil Service, Peter Ho, and comprises mainly business leaders from the private sector.
The Pro-Entreprise Panel (PEP) was established in 2000 to actively solicit feedback from businesses on how government rules and regulations can be improved to create a more pro-enterprise environment in Singapore. The PEP is chaired by the Head of Civil Service, Peter Ho, and comprises mainly business leaders from the private sector.
