Singaporean Working in India Faces Problems Relocating back to Singapore

Greetings Gilbert

I am a Singaporean based in India for the last 17 years.

My parents are old and I want to return to Singapore to take care of my aged parents, but have been unsuccessful in getting employment.

I’m employed in Chennai, India. I am separated and have a daughter to support.

Hence am unable to stay in Singapore for long period and also take no pay leave as I cant leave my daughter alone and have to take care of my home, my responsibilities as a mother as well as my financial responsibilities.

If I get a suitable position in Singapore, once I receive the confirmed appointment letter, then I can resign my job here and move back home.

I have registered with various job portals and have been applying to advertised jobs for the last 3 years with no success.

Only ONE recruitment staff was kind enough to respond saying “Sorry we are unable to process your application since you will not be able to attend the interview in person.”

In this age of technology, people worldwide are attending interviews over skype, video conference, etc, but I am not even offered that option.

I am a  Singaporean Indian in my early fifties with more than 30 years working experience as an Secretary/Personal Assistant/Executive Secretary/Admin Assistant/Executive Assistant.

I hear that Singapore companies are laying off/retrenching people above 50 years and prefer youngsters or they are losing their jobs to FTs.

This really worries me. With a family to take of (daughter and aged parents with medical needs), I can’t afford to lose my job.

When I used to work in Singapore before moving to India, I was subjected to racism several times, I’m told it still exists.

Even in those days, good jobs (well paying/top companies) were going to Mandarin speaking candidates and the thumb rule still exists I’m told.