Shell Bars SGs from Taking Up Local Jobs. Acceptable?

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An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

Shell’s job ad: Native English speaker required

July 30th, 2014 | Author: Editorial

A reader forwarded the following job advertisement from Shell to TRE. Initially, the reader found the job advertisement on our national Jobs Bank (www.jobsbank.gov.sg).
The Jobs Bank administered by WDA is a free service provided to all Singapore-registered companies and locals (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) to help the locals get jobs.
Companies who want to hire foreigners must first advertise on the Jobs Bank for 2 weeks before they are allowed to apply for work passes for foreigners. This is to give more chance for locals to be hired first. The Jobs Bank portal was officially launched on 14 July 2014.
Unfortunately, by the time the reader informed TRE, the said job advertisement from Shell was removed from the Jobs Bank. Nevertheless, TRE and the reader were able to find the same advertisement on the following sites:

• http://shellusa.jobs/singapore-sgp/a...F42BC70DA/job/
• http://sg.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/17068935
• http://sgp.jobs/singapore-sgp/apac-e...F42BC70DA/job/

In particular, one of the requirements in the job advertisement is that the applicant must be a “Native English speaker“:

Responsibilities:
To support the Global Head of Editorial in developing and implementing clear and consistent editorial messaging to ensure widespread external understanding of Shell’s story, its strategy, strengths and objectives. Write and edit key messages and stories about the company and its employees for a variety of external online channels, publications and media globally. To support Asia Pacific Shell communications in developing key content such as multimedia online packages or other media materials for project milestones and other major business developments. To be pro-active in generating editorial content of global and regional significance for external channels.

• Write, edit and develop stories and other content in a variety of online channels, publications and media such as print, web, videos and Shell reports.
• Draft/edit media releases and online multimedia story content, helping to develop and ensure consistent Shell style.
• Write speeches and external articles for Executive Committee members, and other selected Senior Executives.
• Act as Global Editorial focal point for coaching and development of Shell communication writers in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

Experienced and Qualifications:

• Native English speaker and a good communicator. Other languages would be an advantage;
• Success in journalistic writing for large general audiences, preferably with written media and Internet and several years in corporate environment. Experience in different companies and countries is highly beneficial;
• Clear understanding of print and web processes and objectives;
• Knowledge of business and relevant industry sectors highly advantageous;
• Able to cope with tight deadlines and a wide range of tasks simultaneously;
• Degree level and /or MBA;
• Ability to work across borders, with people from different cultures and at a range of levels in the organisation including very senior management.

The incumbent should:

• have a high degree of enthusiasm and interest;
• be open, flexible, creative, and focused on getting results;
• have the ability to solve issues and problems quickly and independently, cope with stress;
• be a team player, communicator, and motivator.

Auto req ID: 8934BR
Job Title: APAC Editor
Country of Work Location: Singapore
Work Location: Singapore
Apparently, the APAC Editor job is meant for Shell Singapore. It’s not known if Singaporeans will be considered as “Native English Speakers” by Shell.
According to this piece of information from the University of Sheffield [Link], the UK government only classifies the following countries as majority native English speaking:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

No other country may be considered as being ‘majority English speaking’ for UK’s visa purposes.
If the requirement in Shell’s job advertisement is not meant to hire Singaporeans, wouldn’t the advertisement run counter to TAFEP regulations?
Or perhaps Shell thinks that Singaporeans are considered to be “Native English Speakers”?
What do you think?


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