Only citizens and PRs get into 'Oscars'

The Straits Times
12 Jan 2009

PLEASE refer to the letter by Ms Honey Lim, 'Why can't MOM get into the Oscars?' (Dec 23).

The One-Stop Change of Address Reporting Service (Oscars), which is developed by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, will transmit the updated addresses of identity card holders who are Singapore citizens and permanent residents to subscribing government agencies. There are currently 22 government agencies, including the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), which subscribe to Oscars. As Oscars is not applicable to foreigners, employment pass and personalised employment pass holders and their dependant pass holders should notify MOM's Work Pass Division directly of any change in address.

MOM has already contacted Ms Lim's family member to update his address record.

Julia Ng
Deputy Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Manpower

Chia Hui Keng
Head (Public & Internal Communications)
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

Why can't MOM get into the Oscars?

The Straits Times
23 Dec 2008

AFTER our move, our entire family trooped down to the nearest neighbourhood police station to lodge our change of address. We were impressed by the One-Stop Change Of Address Reporting Service (Oscars) system which updated our new address with most of the government agencies and statutory boards.

But one member of our family is a foreigner. He used to be able register the change at a neighbourhood police post, but now has to do it at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

As MOM is not in the Oscars loop, we had to inform each individual government agency and statutory board about the change.

On top of this, we were surprised four weeks later by a postal re-direction for an MOM letter sent to the old address.

Surely, an efficient system like Oscars should be enjoyed by not only Singaporeans, but government agencies as well?

Honey Lim (Ms)