Copenhagen Summit

The Copenhagen Summit on climate talks is underway and not without controversy. Yesterday, the “Danish-text” created waves between developed and developing nations. For now talks continue between delegates as expats wait for the world leaders to gather next week. “The so-called “Danish text” was leaked yesterday and prompted an angry reaction from the G77 bloc of developing nations, which warned that its members would not sign an “inequitable” deal when the conference ends with a summit of world leaders next Friday… The text also came in for criticism on the floor of the conference, where a Singaporean activist, Amira Karim, won loud applause after attacking it for overturning and subverting normal UN principles. “This imposition without discussion is tantamount to carbon colonialism,” she declared.”

Read more from Times Online

Expats Rate Malaysian Taxi Drivers

Top Malaysian officials have come out to criticize Malaysia taxi drivers after an expat survey rated the drivers were the worst among 23 nations. The fear among government officials is that with this type of reputation it will influence expats and visitors in their choice of whether to go to Malaysia. “A top minister slammed Malaysia’s taxi drivers Wednesday, saying they were more of a problem for the tourism industry than the nation’s notoriously filthy toilets. … Complaints about taxis are common the world over, but it has become a hot topic in Malaysia where frustrations are vented on blog sites and in letters to newspapers.”

Read more from AFP

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We take a look at expat news this week:

 

Overseas American Week: representing your interests

 

For over thirty years, AARO has been representing the interests of overseas Americans on such issues as voting, taxation and citizenship. Each year, AARO organizes a lobbying trip to Washington called “Overseas Americans Week” to press for change on all of these issues and more. This year’s OAW will take place the week of March 30. To follow OAW as it happens, sign up for the weeklong OAW blog emails by writing to aaro[@]aaro.org.

You can follow this week in Washington on www.aaro-oaw.org.

Andy Coyne, Executive Vice President and Kathleen de Carbuccia, founding member and president of AARO. 

 

 

Smile and Copenhagen smiles with you

 

“Expats get a sweet welcome and some helpful hints from high places during the city’s official welcome

City Hall pancakes are normally reserved for heads of state, visiting dignitaries and world champion sports teams.

But on Monday afternoon the sugary sweet capital crêpes were dished up for another group the city is looking to make feel at home here – expatriates.

Jakob Hougaard, Deputy Mayor for Integration, welcomed the crowd of about two hundred foreign residents to the ‘Welcome to Denmark’ event and to their new city.

‘You’re part of the story of Copenhagen,’ he said. ‘I know that not every day is going to be a fairy tale here, but the story you are going to participate in is about the city of today.’
Statistically, Denmark is good at attracting highly qualified professionals that are in high demand, according to Katia Østergaard of the Expat in Denmark network, who also spoke during the welcome. The challenge, she said, is retaining them. Some 60 percent choose to leave after only a short stay.

Read more from The Copenhagen Post

 

Expats hit by recession blues

 

‘There are still more opportunities here in Asia than in New York or London, and even more so when the economy picks up,’ said Mr Maes, who holds an Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate which allows skilled foreigners to stay in Singapore for up to one year to look for a job. He is in the process of applying for an employment pass.
Foreigners who have previously worked here can apply for a Personalised Employment Pass, which is not tied to a specific employer and allows former work pass holders to stay for up to six months between jobs to seek new employment.
Foreigners who start legally registered entrepreneurial businesses can apply for the EntrePass, which lets them stay for up to two years and can be renewed.
Though the Ministry of Manpower has no official figures on the number of work permits being applied for or cancelled, recruitment firms here say that they have seen a slight increase in laid-off expats in the last three to six months.”
Read more from the Straits time

 

Can’t Find Work? Look Abroad

 

“As the economic crisis deepens and Americans everywhere are facing the prospect of unemployment, a steady source of income would seem hard to come by. Employers are pessimistic, competition for new jobs is tough and small businesses are struggling to turn a profit. Meanwhile the rent is still high, the bills are coming in and the banks are in no mood to talk about loans.”

So why not just leave?

More from Consummer Affairs

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