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Friday, September 28, 2012

MAKE IT EASIER FOR FOREIGN SPOUSES OF CITIZENS TO SINK ROOTS!

THEREALSINGAPORE Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:14

I refer to the letter "Why make it harder for a PR's spouse to work here?" (Sept 6). As a citizen married to a foreigner, I identify with the writer's frustrations. My husband, too, has found it difficult to find employment. Only in April did the Government introduce a Long-Term Visit Pass Plus (LTVP+), which grants holders healthcare subsidies and makes it easier for them to seek employment. However, the issuance of a LTVP+ comes with conditions, mainly that the couple must have a Singaporean child. My husband and I do not, and not by choice. Couples without a Singaporean child would be more favourably considered, though not guaranteed, for the LTVP+ if they have been married for at least three years. A Dependant's Pass for spouses of Employment Pass holders, though, comes with no such conditions. With this and a letter of consent from the authorities, as the writer stated, they are allowed to work. They seem to be favoured over spouses of Singaporeans. Singapore's population policies are being reviewed, and I hope that the plight of citizens like me will be considered. Policies should help foreign spouses of citizens, with or without children, to settle down and integrate instead of making them feel unwanted. Citizens should not be made to feel that they are being punished for marrying a non-Singaporean, a situation that can place undue strain on the marriage. How does this fit in with the Government's pro-family stance or the interests of citizens? It is not that the situation should be made harder for spouses of EP holders but that it should be easier for citizens married to foreign spouses to start a new life together in our own home country. Surely, this is not an unreasonable expectation.
Ref: Norhayati Lahmidi-thealsingapore

Would've read..

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