2012-08-22

全球:有没有有毒的海藻?

没有。

I often get asked if there are any poisonous seaweed around Britain. From my own research I discovered that Desmarestia is the only poisonous seaweed that you should leave well alone. However I wanted to double check my own knowledge against that of a world class expert.

So I went and asked Professor Michael Guiry, Director of AlgaeBase and world authority on seaweed. Here’s his reply:

“As far as I know, there are no really poisonous seaweed in this part of the world. “Our” Desmarestia species (4 of them and as you said mostly in deep water) produce sulphuric acid and can have a cellular pH of 2.

Anything else you might want to eat is free of poisons in the conventional sense as far as I am aware. However, care should be exercised when collecting in areas with high coliform counts and other bacteria, particularly in estuaries.

I have seen some really disgusting places on the south coast of England and would be loath to eat anything collected from shores from Portsmouth east to Norfolk, and anything from the major estuaries. The same applies to Dublin Bay, Cork Harbour, Inner Galway Bay, and Belfast Lough.”

So there you have it, straight from the horses mouth so-to-speak.

http://www.eatweeds.co.uk/are-there-any-poisonous-seaweeds-in-britain

2012-08-18

纽西兰:免费的Mammogram

Who can have a free screening mammogram?

You can have a free screening mammogram every two years through BreastScreen Aotearoa if you meet all the following:
  • are aged 45-69 years
  • have no symptoms of breast cancer
  • have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months
  • are not pregnant or breastfeeding
  • are eligible for public health services in New Zealand.*
http://www.everybody.co.nz/page-6383ba53-9a81-4261-8bf1-aeeae7faf608.aspx

不然的话,费用是$143(2012年)。

2012-08-17

纽西兰:房贴是如何计算的

Calculating rate - general formula

An Accommodation Supplement is paid when a client's accommodation costs are more than the entry threshold. The entry threshold varies depending on the family situation.
For every dollar over the entry threshold that a client pays in accommodation costs they receive a 70% subsidy.
The amount that a person is entitled to may be reduced depending on the level of their income or assets.

Below are the Accommodation Supplement entry thresholds and maximum rates for New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans Pension at 1 April 2012. These are non-taxable, weekly rates.

http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/manuals-and-procedures/income_support/extra_help/accommodation_supplement/accommodation_supplement-89.htm

Weekly Allowance:

Category Entry threshold Maximum rate
Rent or board Mortgage Area 1 limit Area 2 limit Area 3 limit Area 4 limit
Single living alone $87 $105 $145 $100 $65 $45
Single sharing $81 $97 $145 $100 $65 $45
Married, civil union or de facto couple, both qualify $134 $161 $160 $125 $75 $55
Married, civil union or de facto couple, non qualified partner included on or after 1 October 1991 $128 $153 $160 $125 $75 $55
Married, non qualified partner included before 1 October 1991 $134 $161 $160 $125 $75 $55
Married, civil union or de facto couple, both qualify, 1+ children $157 $189 $225 $165 $120 $75
Married, civil union or de facto couple, non qualified partner included on or after 1 October 1991, 1+ children $151 $181 $225 $165 $120 $75
Married, non qualified partner included before 1 October 1991, 1+ children $157 $189 $225 $165 $120 $75
Sole parent sharing, 1 child $104 $124 $160 $125 $75 $55
Sole parent sharing, 2+ children $104 $124 $225 $165 $120 $75
Sole parent living alone, 1 child $110 $132 $160 $125 $75 $55
Sole parent living alone, 2+ children $110 $132 $225 $165 $120 $75
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/manuals-and-procedures/deskfile/extra_help_information/accommodation_supplement_tables/entry_thresholds_and_maximum_rates-74.htm

奥克兰是Area 1

Example - calculating rate

A client receiving Invalid's Benefit who is living in Wellington (Area 2), is married with 2 children, and pays rent of $375.00 a week.
First we need to know the entry threshold for a couple with 2 children, see: Entry thresholds and maximum rates
As at 1 April 2012, the entry threshold for Invalids Benefit is $130.00. Using the following calculation the couple's rate of Accommodation Supplement can be assessed.


Rent $375.00
Less entry threshold (as at 1 April 2012) $130.00
Equals $245.00
The couple is eligible for up to 70% of $245.00
$245.00 x 0.70 equals $171.50
Round up to the nearest whole dollar $172.00
The last thing that remains to be done is to check the regional maximum Accommodation Supplement payable to a couple with 2 children. For Wellington (Area 2) this is $165.00 per week (as at 1 April 2012).

  • the couple may only receive $165.00 per week
If the couple had lived in Auckland (Area 1), the maximum Accommodation Supplement payable would be $225.00 (as at 1 April 2012). They would then have received $172.00 per week.

http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/manuals-and-procedures/income_support/extra_help/accommodation_supplement/accommodation_supplement-90.htm

新加坡:中国移民带来的冲击太大

前中国籍的乒乓球选手为新加坡在伦敦奥运上摘下女子单打铜牌,但部分新加坡人却对”外来移民“赢得的奖牌引以为耻。新加坡人对中国移民的增加越发不满,虽然语言与血缘相近,但双方在这个岛国上却不断发生摩擦。 
对极度缺乏人力资源、长期依靠引进外国移民提升劳动力的新加坡而言,移民政策和移民问题一直是被新加坡民众放大检视的课题。日前新加坡 乒乓球选手冯天薇在伦敦奥运会上拿下女子单打铜牌,这是新加坡52年来首次在单打项目中摘下奖牌。但很多新加坡人对此却并不领情,许多人认为前中国籍的冯 天薇只是政府引进的外来人才,无法代表新加坡。根据一份雅虎新加坡网站做的问卷调查,17227名受访者中,有77%的人对外来人才所赢回的奖牌不感到骄 傲。这样的结果或许会让总认为自己的成就便是"华人之光"的中国感到愕然。
新加坡人口在十年间增加了近100万
新加坡政府自1990年代起不断积极引进外来移民,其中中国移民占绝大多数。新加坡统计局最新的数据显示,2000年时新加坡的总人口数仅400万 人,在11年间总人口数提升至约520万,2011年的移民人数将近140万人,其中还不包括已归化新加坡公民或永久居民的外藉人士,移民人口约占五分之一。

中国移民引发社会矛盾

询问任何一个生活在当地数年的本地或外地人,几乎都会异口同声的说:"近年的中国移民实在太多太多"。新加坡的中国移民人口在过去几年大幅上升,无论是在 公共场所、大众运输、公司企业或机关学校中都能看到中国人的身影。新加坡政府的用意十分明显,引进语言和文化相近的中国人才,不仅能促进当地经济发展,而 且不易有种族之间的隔阂问题。新加坡因为敏感的地缘政治关系, 政府需要维持一定的民族比例, 因此从周边国家和大中华地区吸引华人移民。由于港台的经济较为发达,移民的意愿相对不高,因此新加坡政府自1990年代便针对中国大陆地区吸引移民,过去 数年的中国移民数更出现爆炸性的成长。
新加坡执政党人民行动党近年积极引进中国人才
虽然新加坡政府的算盘打得不错,但是中国移民并未如预期融入当地社会。执政的人民行动党吸收移民的速度过快,过去十年间增加了近百万的人口,本地人的生存空间明显缩减。而报章媒体上关于中国移民的负面新闻层出不穷,新加坡人对中国移民的不满越发强烈。

数月前,一名领取新加坡政府奖学金的中国学生在网上骂新加坡人是狗引起公愤,认为这样的外来人才"忘恩负义",要求取消其奖学金。今年5月,一名驾驶法拉 利的四川人疑因超速撞死了出租车司机及乘客,酿成3人死亡的悲剧。由于肇事者是中国大陆富商,新加坡人排中的情绪更加激烈,排山倒海的批评认为此类"财大 气粗"、"嚣张"的中国移民便是移民政策所带来的恶性后果。

另一起事件则突显出新加坡人对中国移民的负面看法:6月间媒体和网络热烈报道和讨论一个视频,一名中年妇女在地铁上责备一名女子让位过慢,以英文斥责她" 八成是从中国来的"。事实上,让座的女子也是新加坡人。此类单一事件显示出部分新加坡民众对中国移民的排斥以及刻板印象。

生活空间缩水 "上班挤不上公交"

从事海外华人及新移民研究的南洋理工大学中文系助理教授游俊豪分析说,1949年中华人民共和国成立直至1990年代新加坡开放引进外来人才,两国间并未 有太多交集,中国和新加坡的关系逐渐疏远。在1990年开放后,新加坡人对中国人的印象是"来自不同社会体制的一群人",生活水平不比新加坡。但随着中国 经济的崛起,过去数年赴新加坡的中国人颠覆了当地人既往的印象,他们购买奢侈品牌,消费力超过许多新加坡民众。
此外,经常在新加坡《联合早报》发表时事评论的新加坡佛学院助理教授纪赟认为,中国新移民给新加坡最大的冲击主要来自物价和房价;举例而言,中国人只要把 上海、北京或深圳的一套房子卖掉便可在新加坡轻松购置一套政府组屋(由政府承建的房屋),意即中国房价的增长间接推动新加坡房市,虽然新移民的购房比例不高,"但他们就像鲶鱼一样搅动了本地的市场,并拉高了房价"。
新加坡移民人数大增,公共交通系统不胜负荷
游俊豪则表示:"中国的新移民人数很多,当这个数量大起来的时候,在地人会觉得受到威胁。中国人增加的速度太快,人们可能觉得赶不上去适应一下子来了这么多人。"

纪赟进一步解释这个现象说:"当你突然发现每天上班时都挤不上公交,当你发现你想买套房子却有四、五个外地移民在与你争抢时,再怎样理性地解释新加坡需要移民也是没有用的,因为他们确实挤占了一定的生存空间。"
 
移民带来的竞争

为了吸引中国人才,新加坡政府给与外来移民各种优惠,包括提供优秀的中国留学生政府奖学金和助学金。1999年从中国前往新加坡求学的李健文在大学时申请 了政府助学金,条件是毕业后必须在新加坡工作五年。目前在当地就业并且成为新加坡公民的李健文在求学阶段也观察到新加坡人对于中国留学生的不满情绪:

"本身我自己大学的同学,他们对中国的印象也不太好。有一些同学会觉得中国同学比较骄傲,因为他们比较聪明,觉得他们讲话口气比较傲慢。"
在新加坡生活了近13年的李健文说,近几年新加坡人对待中国人的态度确实发生改变,甚至产生许多负面观感。来自中国的留学生因为学习能力优异,在学校中容易引起同侪的竞争心理,在企业中也是本地人的强大竞争对手。

一名从事人力管理的新加坡人表示:"工作上他们有一些人薪水要求比较低,学历方面比我们高,带来强力竞争。那些高学历的人来到新加坡,他们不会认为自己是新加坡的一份子,什么都是中国最好,也不会想要融入新加坡。"
另一名从事银行业的新加坡人认为,在日常生活中与职场上都能感受到新加坡人对中国移民的排斥,而媒体报道的中国负面新闻也造成她对中国的负面印象。针对是 否赞成新加坡继续引进中国人才,她表示:"我不赞成,我真的不赞成。新加坡很小,太多的中国人让新加坡好像一个小型中国,而他们不融入社会。有时候他们来 这里看起来是不开心、不情愿的。"

地狭人稠的新加坡近年增加了许多中国移民
中国移民太"聪明"难以融入新加坡
究竟为何中国移民难以融入新加坡社会?血缘、文化和语言的相似为何无法成为族群融合的有效助力?游俊豪分析新加坡人对华人身份的认同感时说:"尽管是属于 同一个种族,但是他是来自不同的国家。所以当新加坡人碰到中国人的时候,他们不会认为这是华人碰到华人,而是两个不同国、族的人碰在一起了。"
本身也是中国移民的纪赟说:"就思想上而言,两地居民就有很大的文化差异。中国新移民往往太'聪明',但在一个契约社会里,太聪明的人往往会让人觉得未必 靠得住。这主要还是与中国社会的现状有关。在中国合法的事往往比非法的还要难办,所以在这种社会里生存的人,往往就学会了一整套的变通与取巧的方法,喜欢 在办事时绕过轨则或干脆忽视规则。但在一个健全的社会中,这种人往往会因为太聪明而最终吃亏。"
他以假造学历为例解释说,在新加坡移民政策较松时,许多中国移民办了假学历,因为在中国即使被查到拥有假学历也无大碍,但在新加坡这是一件必然要追究受罚的事,一旦这种投机取巧的人多了,必然会导致他所属的族群受到"特别关照"。
除此之外,学习本地的语言也是融入异国社会的基本底线,但许多新移民总是嘲笑当地人的英语口音,将其作为拒绝学习英语的借口。事实上,不少中国人是为了更 方便的护照、更好的生活条件或子女的教育环境才来到新加坡。而许多中国人将新加坡视为前往第三国的跳板也是中国移民不愿融入社会的主因。
是"华人"但不是中国人
新加坡乒乓球选手冯天薇在伦敦奥运摘下铜牌
在争论乒乓球选手冯天薇的移民身份时,仍是有不少新加坡人对其表示支持。一名网友写道:"她为新加坡付出的远比土生土长的新加坡人多。批评她的人应该感到羞耻。重点不是她原先的国籍,而是她对这个国家的贡献。"

从事银行业的陈姓受访者说,身为新加坡人,她对于这样的胜利形式虽然不感到特别骄傲,但承认新加坡社会确实不注重体育发展,对愿意融入社会并带来实质贡献的外来移民并不排斥。
纪赟指出,总体而言,包括中国移民在内的新移民对新加坡的确做出了重要的贡献,使新加坡避免因人口萎缩而衰亡,并且也影响当地的经济和政治活力。

游俊豪也肯定移民政策带来正面效应:"新加坡必须面对一个很现实的问题,在地人口的老化程度很高,在经济领域方面人才和蓝领阶级的劳力都非常短缺,它很需要外来人才帮助整个国家发展。"
自2010年以来,新加坡移民局明显放缓移民政策,收紧筛选的条件和要求,让受到外来移民冲击的普通民众得以喘息。但就长远而言,吸收移民仍是新加坡政府无法舍弃的政策。无论如何,中国移民的增加已经是既定事实,族群的融合成为当前不容忽视的问题。
纪赟:吸收移民将是新加坡的不二之选。
纪赟在访问的最后表示,融入社会是一个双方面的问题,本地人及新加坡政府也必须负一定责任;但移民是移民者的主动选择,外来者不可能要求移民的社会适应自己。从马来西亚移民新加坡超过10年的游俊豪以自身的经历为例:

"哪怕是在同一个国家里,这个村到另一个村,还是有一个融入的障碍在里面。问题是你面对的障碍是什么,新加坡的障碍不是不能克服的。"
 

2012-08-16

纽西兰:增加租金

How much notice do I need to give to increase the rent?

For periodic tenancies the landlord must give the tenant at least 60 days’ written notice to increase the rent, in addition to a period allowed to correctly serve the notice. There is no limit to how much a landlord may increase the rent, as long as the rent is not increased excessively above market rate.
For periodic tenancies, the rent cannot be increased within 180 days of the beginning of the tenancy, nor within 180 days of the last rent increase.
Rent can only be increased for fixed-term tenancies where provision for this is written into the tenancy agreement.
For boarding house tenancies, the landlord must give the tenant at least 28 days written notice to increase the rent.

http://www.dbh.govt.nz/faqs-tenancy-rent

2012-08-14

全球:富人财富藏在哪

全球富豪在避税天堂的资金至少为21万亿美元

可以说,全球没有一份能反映富人财富真实数额的榜单,即使是所谓的官方数据。

据 英国媒体报道,由麦肯锡管理咨询公司前首席经济学家詹姆斯·亨利和一位避税港研究专家进行的“离岸藏匿财富”的分析报告指出,在私人银行的帮助下,大概有 21万亿~32万亿美元(约133.93万亿~204.08万亿元人民币)从各国流向卢森堡、瑞士、开曼群岛和百慕大群岛等地。而富人在他地所拥有的飞 机、游艇、收藏、房地产等资产也并未算在内。

当然,光靠两个专家,哪怕是根据世界银行、国际货币基金组织、联合国和各国中央银行的权威数据分析出来的全球富人“小金库”规模,也依然不敢说十分精准。然而,麦肯锡的报告无疑表明,富人藏匿的财富远比我们知道的要多得多。

问题是,他们是怎么做到的?

避税天堂

所谓“避税天堂”,其实就是指那些信息保密度高,没有外汇管制,更不用承担沉重的税务负担,避税方便的地区和金融机构。

以韩国为例,据韩国进出口银行的资料显示,自1968年以来,韩国在海外投资额约为2亿美元,今年3月其中的10%被吸引到了避税天堂。英国媒体报道称,韩国在近40年中在海外避税天堂隐藏资产高达7790亿美元。

这 么一大笔没有缴税的资产难免让各国政府眼红。2008年,德国政府花了420 万欧元向一位列支敦士登LGT银行的前数据保管员购买了1250个客户的详细交易资料,并拿来同美国政府共享。事后,该数据保管员又把同一份客户数据在英 国政府那里再卖了一次,作价10万英镑。

有了详实的逃税名单,三国政府都开始大张旗鼓地调查和拘捕涉嫌偷逃税收的本国企业法人代表和高级管理人员。列支敦士登官方指控德国政府对其实施商业间谍行为,而三国则指责列支敦士登政府配合他国企业逃税洗钱,各方打起了热闹的口水仗。

列支敦士登的银行名声臭了,但在瑞士等国金融机构的保密制度依然保护着客户的信息。

除 了金融机构,很多国家和地区也成为海外企业的避税天堂。在英属维尔京群岛,“国际商业公司无需向当地政府缴纳税金,只需缴纳极少数量的年费:注册资本在 50000 美元以下的公司,每年年费为650 美元左右;注册资本在50000 美元以上,每年年费为1500 美元左右。”

在这里,注册公司的程序非常简单,只需一名董事或股东即可成立公司,董事或股东没有国籍限制,且公司法人代表亦可出面担任。公司不需呈报税务报表。公司可在世界各地,使用任何货币,来从事合法商业活动。

目前,面积仅有153 平方公里的维尔京群岛,已注册有大约40万家公司。有人计算过,这个小岛平均每个居民拥有近20家企业,一个篮球场的面积上就有一家公司。

跨国企业的内部价

如果富人拥有自己的跨国企业,如何为公司避税也是他们要考虑的事。

今 年7月底,日本夏普公司遭到大坂国税局的调查,因其在5年里通过海外子公司避税,并存在偷税现象。大坂国税局公开的数据显示,5年里,夏普避税金额约74 亿日元(约合6.03亿元人民币)。夏普是通过海外子公司在输出制造产品时,以低于正常价格出售,通过减少交易价格来避免缴纳更多税款的。面对上述指控, 夏普方面仅仅是否认,尚无具体回应。

夏普的这种避税方式为转移定价。

转移定价是指跨国公司内部,在母公司与子公司、子公 司与子公司之间销售产品,提供商务、转让技术和资金借贷等活动所确定的企业集团内部价格。转移定价所包含的范围很广,它是利用各国间税率参差不齐和规定的 差异,来达到避税的一种手段。转移定价不仅只是海外企业内部货物及劳务方面的内部价格转移, 而且在其他诸如贷款、投资、专利和专有知识、租用、租购、租赁及管理成本、劳务手续等方面, 均可以通过转移定价来达到避税的目的。

据统计,国际贸易总额中约有60%是通过这种跨国公司的内部贸易所形成的,跨国公司在制定内部交易价格时,往往可以用转移定价的方法,达到减少税负从而增加利润的目的。

这部分避税所得,如果不是犯事被查,是很难被发现和追究的。

转变公司形态也避税

老板为公司避税的策略还有另外一种,即把分支机构转变为子公司。

因为分支机构和子公司各有利弊,分支机构的缺点正是子公司的优点,而分支机构的优点又恰恰是子公司的缺点。

设 置分支机构,公司可以不缴纳资本注册税或印花税;总部直接控制其经营,可以在分支机构所在地减少填写报账表、审计项目和遵从公司法等方面的麻烦,可以不公 布或少公布财务资料;在创建初期, 常会发生较多的费用及损失,纳税人的母国税收规则一般允许国外分支机构的这些费用及损失冲抵总部的净利润总额,由此可减少总部所得税的负担。

而 设置子公司,公司首先可以享受参股收益的免税好处。参股收益即指纳税人在另一个股份公司、投资公司或合伙企业的参股收入。当地政府通常为子公司提供免税期 或其他投资鼓励与优惠政策。子公司取得的利润,无须在同一纳税年度内汇回母公司一并在母国纳税。这样,在外国税率低于母国税率的情况下,它就可以获得延期 税的好处。在子公司与总部之间支付的利息或特许权使用费是可扣除的,即从整体角度讲,这方面要比分支机构的情形减少所得税税额。子公司灵活性强,可以利用 两国税率差异(如上述的转移定价)避税。

为了避税,海外公司在营业初期会以分支机构的形式经营,当分支机构已积累了一定的经营与管理经验并盈利之后,再转变为子公司。

在 经济危机的阴霾没有完全退去的情况下,近年来,各国政府都加大了对海外企业避税行为的治理措施。2009年伦敦20国集团会议期间,反避税成为热门词汇。 当时有人预计,在世界大国的配合下,反避税措施定会取得较大成效。然而,道高一尺魔高一丈,避税措施的复杂性和隐蔽性让反避税措施的效果大打折扣。避税, 这个打了几千年的法律擦边球游戏会继续下去。

逃税的招术有很多

私人银行帮忙

富人的隐匿资金主要是在私人银行的帮助下流入避税港。帮助藏匿资金的代表性私人银行有瑞士瑞银集团、瑞士信贷集团、高盛集团等。据调查,包括上述3家银行在内的10家私人银行2010年所经手的私人资金达6.28万亿美元,比5年前的2.4万亿美元增加了1.5倍以上。

午夜回国,投资影视

一 个以泽西岛为根据地的逃税方案能够每年帮这些富豪逃税多达1.68亿英镑。有的富豪常常在晚上搭机飞离英国领空,过了午夜之后,再回到英国机场降落。因为 英国现行税法规定,每年在英国居住的时间不超过90天的话就不用缴税;而剩下的275天里,只要午夜前不在英国也可以不用缴税。投资回报丰厚的电影业也成 为帮助富人避税的领域之一。他们利用和滥用英国政府支持文化创意产业的税收优惠政策,把几千万英镑投进电影和电视项目,以便避税逃税。

逃往邻国

法国计划向总收入在100万欧元以上的富人征收75%的所得税。于是近来,法国最富有的家庭正在卖掉房产,并举家搬到邻国。

放弃国籍,做慈善

去 年大约有1780名移居海外的美国人前往美国使馆放弃自己的美国国籍,而2008年只有235人。美国是经合组织中唯一对居住在任何地方的本国公民征税的 国家。此外,按照美国的法律,如果富豪要把遗产给子女,联邦政府会从中抽掉过半的遗产税。于是许多美国富豪都以慈善捐款的手段规避遗产税。

Facebook联合创始人爱德华多·萨维林近日移民新加坡之后宣布放弃美国国籍,如果此举被证明为了躲避Facebook IPO收益所得带来的巨额税收,他将被永远禁止进入美国。 见习记者 白朝阳

http://www.wenxuecity.com/news/2012/08/13/1923606.html

德国:移民人数年年攀升

     德国多少年来一直以“非移民国”自称而拒绝外国人前来德国生活和就业。现在德国经济起飞,人口却下降,尤其是年龄结构趋向老化。所以,德国不得不慎重考虑 要有条件地从国外引进人才。现在德国社会越来越少有人讨论“德国是否是移民国”的话题,几乎各党派、工会、企业家协会一致希望从国外引进人才,以保持德国 的欧洲经济龙头地位。从几年前还是在理论上探讨这个问题,今年开始成了迫在眉睫必须去做的实际项目。

    德国劳工局下属的“国外与专业职业介绍中心ZAV”从设立该部门的半个世纪来,都是协助德国专家如何去国外生根发芽,所谓的Outgoing;今 年来却工作方向180度大转弯,专门带着德国企业的人才需求而跑到国外去主动游说,引进各方人才,所谓的Incoming。部门工作人员也从十几人,今年 激增到50多人,而且还要增长。今年上半年已经为德国企业从国外招聘了300多专家。今年暑假后劳工局将派出四个招聘小组赴国外招聘,分别招聘技术领域、 卫生领域、农业和服务业人才。例如九月将去北部意大利招聘医生,然后去罗马尼亚招聘护理人员,十月去葡萄牙招聘医务人员……到今年年底将要出国招聘60多 次。据ZAV称,国外招聘最大的障碍就是语言问题,有几位外国人能说德语的?许多私人职业中介公司也开始涉足引导国外专业人才前来德国的生意,网站 make-it-in-germany.com 甚至都介绍来德谋职的具体五个步骤。德国联邦经济部长表示:为了引进人才,“我们不仅要具备相应的法律基础,同时还需要有欢迎外国人前来德国就业的良好文 化”。
  
    德国政府迄今没有公开德国需要每年引进人才的官方统计,据专家估计,应当在20万左右。2011年德国的移民人数(27,9万)达到历史最高峰, 而且估计还将年年攀升。但要说明的是,这些人中有14万来自欧盟国家,尤其来自欧盟中受到经济危机较严重的国家,如西班牙、希腊、葡萄牙,因为德国的职业 多、工资高,但那从法律上说已经不属于“外国人”,而且那里经济恢复后,前来德国谋职的愿望就会立即下降。所以,所谓的竞争国外人才,最重要的是竞争非欧 盟国家的人才。
  
    二战之后德国经济起飞,就是从德国附近的国家如希腊、意大利、南斯拉夫和土耳其等大量引入劳动力。上世纪60年代后期发生石油危机,德国自己的失 业率都在急剧上涨,当然就不再需要国外劳动力。于是在1973年颁布了“停止国外招聘”的法律(Anwerbestopp),从此除了出于家庭团聚或留下 几个特殊专业领域作为例外,开始严格限制外国人来德,那时每年只有几千位外国专家前来德国谋职。到2000年红绿党执政期间推出所谓的“绿卡”,当时还只 对计算机IT领域的专家开放。同一年德国议会委托前议会主席R.Suessmuth起草德国移民的具体方案,她参照北美经验而提出根据年龄、学历、语言能 力等来对应聘外国人打分,有控制地引进国外人才。由于大选活动干扰、有些党派还是作意识形态方面的争论,使这一方案夭折。直到2005年才推出新的移民 法,从法律上部分宽松了对国外专家的移民,如给予在德读完大学的外国人毕业后能有一年时间找工作,大企业雇用专业人才的法律门槛降低等,但对普通职业依旧 卡得很紧,至少没有从根本上考虑德国必须成为移民国,只是如何移民的问题。所以直到2010年,以此宽松而进入德国工作的全年只有220名专家和1040 位独立职业者。大学毕业这倒留下了5700名,计算机专家8000名。但这些数字与德国实际需要的每年20万专业人才相距很远。今年八月施行的“欧盟蓝 卡”对外国人来德谋职的门槛降得更低,官僚手续消减得更多,但看来依旧不够宽松。
  
    前来德国留学的外国学生不算少,2011年有25万在校注册的外国学生,占全德大学生的11,4%。第一位就是来自中国(22828人)。据统 计,前来德国留学的外国学生中有80%希望毕业后能在德国工作,而法国、英国、荷兰、瑞典的外国留学生有66%想毕业后留在留学国。但最后确实在德国留下 的只有25%,而法国却有33%。究其原因,主要是德国的移民法太复杂,法律门槛还是太高。其次是语言问题,再其次是德国社会对外国人还总有偏见,其偏见 程度占上述五国的第二位(法国占第一位)。
    德国争夺国外人才 移民人数年年攀升/钱跃君

    德国争夺国外人才 移民人数年年攀升/钱跃君

    自民党劳工市场专家J.Vogel就表示,德国的职业市场相对其它国家还是缺乏吸引力和竞争力。以后我们对专家们要能做到:不用来德前就已经获得 应聘合同,欢迎你们先来德国,静下心来就地找工作,由我们政治家来考虑如何在法律上保障——这就回到了欧美引入外国人的记点评分方式。所以,德国各党派 (尤其是自民党FDP、社民党SPD与绿党)又重新思考和讨论起记点评分引入外国专家的方案,只有基民盟CDU表示异议,认为这样做太死板,很快就会演变 成官僚主义的魔鬼。要将引入条件定得抽象点,这样我们就可以随时调整移民政策。邻国奥地利已经从2011年中开始实施记点评分制,根据年龄、学业、职业经 验、语言、该专业在奥地利的缺乏程度进行评分。评分过线者就可以获得一张“红白红卡”,去年下半年有1500人获得。
  
    其实,德国岂止缺乏专业人才,就连普通职业人才也青黄不接。最值得德国民族骄傲的是初中毕业后进入职业教育,但现在愿意接受职业教育的学生也越来 越少,以至许多职业学校招生严重不足,全德平均缺少1/7学生,此数字将会越来越高。尤其是位于东德地区的职业学校和企业,现在就已经几乎缺少1/3的职 业培训学生。只是德国移民法中还没有给予外国人前来德国接受职业教育的居留许可,所以这些职业学校和企业只能在欧盟国家打主意,因为这些欧盟国家的学生尽 管不说德语,但法律上毕竟不再是“外国人”。前来德国职业培训的更多是受到这次经济危机冲击较严重的国家如希腊、西班牙、葡萄牙,以及加入欧盟的东欧国家 如波兰、匈牙利。因为这些国家的经济下跌,失业率频升,这些中学毕业生一旦毕业就意味着失业,于是纷纷前往德国接受职业培训,并期望培训后继续留在德国谋 职——职业培训成为他们移民德国的一种途径。
  
    许多东德地区的职业学校索性就近去波兰、捷克、匈牙利招生,因为德国政府只问这个学校的学生多少,而从来不问是哪些国家的学生。这些学校搞到许多 东欧国家中学校长的地址,不断给他们发信,希望动员他们的学生中学毕业后直接去德国接受职业教育,食宿不愁。许多提供职业培训的企业,破例为这些外国学生 提供食宿,增加工资,以吸引他们。由此可见,因为德国自己的孩子不争气,德国纳税人的钱只能去培养国外的技术人员。但愿被培养者毕业后能够留在德国,这样 德国花出了几笔钱,但赚回了一个人——经济竞争,就是人才竞争,甚至是人口竞争。
  
    转自德国《欧华导报》

http://bo.com/news/gb/intl/2012/08/201208140828.shtml

2012-08-11

纽西兰:最热门的论坛

New Zealand
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The Just Landed forums are there for you to get in touch with other members of the Just Landed Community. Remember, no matter how frusturating or ridiculous things ...
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They are your bread and butter! Any issues, questions, suggestions or what ever else is related to tenants place it here!
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纽西兰:华人论坛排名

http://www.skykiwi.com/ 天维网 32k
http://www.nzchinese.com/bbs/forum.php 新西兰华人论坛 304k
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后面的数字是Alexa的全球流量排名。

加拿大:华人论坛排名

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www.comefromchina.com CFC中文网 77k
www.sinoquebec.com 蒙城华人 93k

后面的数字是Alexa的全球流量排名。

纽西兰:关于罚款

Recent changes to the law allow New Zealand Customs and the Department of Labour (Immigration) to share information with the Ministry of Justice. This means the Collections Unit of the Ministry of Justice may now know when you leave or arrive from an International Airport.

------------------------------

I have dealt with MoJ regarding overdue fines in the past and I questioned whether I would be allowed to leave the country also. The MoJ people I spoke to (credit where credit is due, they were pretty decent, understanding people), advised me that once I had made payments to get the debt under a certain amount, and had set up a "payment arrangement" to come out of my wages each week, I was allowed to leave the country - although I think they only meant for a holiday, you would need to query whether the same applied if you were leaving permanently. If I had done all of this, left the country, and then defaulted on a payment, I could be arrested/deported or whatever.

http://www.biggie.co.nz/discussion/fines_and_leaving_the_country
-------------------------------

Pay or Stay If you have outstanding fines you may not be able to fly internationally. Check this out with the Ministry of Justice before your trip to avoid an unpleasant surprise.

http://www.nzs.com/new-zealand-articles/travel/airport-regulations.html
--------------------------------

i had a few fines ordered to me by the court to pay but i didnt get around to it
it got passed on to Baycorp.

These are not court fines then (as DB points out court fines are not passed to Baycorp), but rather the court ordered you to pay a 3rd party which you failed to do; so that third party listed the debt with baycorp?

In regards to your situation: the only fines that will stop you from travelling are court fines. If indeed the court ordered you to pay a fine and you failed to do so, then yes you will be prevented from leaving the country.

http://www.gpforums.co.nz/thread/352713/1/
--------------------------------

What will happen to me if I'm stopped at the airport for fines?

Police at the airport will intercept you after you have passed through Customs.  You will be given the opportunity to talk to a Deputy Registrar at the Court’s Contact Centre to arrange full payment by Credit Card. If you cannot, or will not, pay your fine the police may arrest you. You will be prevented from travelling, have your passport confiscated and be bailed to appear in Court.

http://www.justice.govt.nz/fines/fines/common-questions#can-i-travel-overseas
---------------------------------

It's still fine to go travelling

Last updated 05:00 17/04/2011

A $2 million dollar advertising campaign which threatens fine defaulters with being stopped from travelling abroad is being branded successful – despite only five people having their trips canned.

Labour said the initiative, which it introduced in 2007, was "a great system" that "worked well", but accused National of failing to "be proactive" by lowering the $5000 threshold at which fines defaulters can be stopped from leaving New Zealand.

Since 2008 Justice Ministry bosses have signed off $1.83 million for television and internet, brochure and direct-mail advertising for its "Pay your fines or pay the price" campaign.

The message is clear and stern – pay your fines or you might be stopped from travelling.

Briefing papers obtained by Sunday News reveal 64 individuals owing a combined $806,570 were stopped at airports between 2009 and 2010.

Of the 14 attempting to leave the country, nine were waved through after paying on the spot and five were arrested and barred from travelling.

A further 50 debtors entering New Zealand were stopped but the papers do not explain what happened to them.

The general manager of collections, Bryre Patchell, told Sunday News that research indicated 90% of those who owed fines were "aware" of the ad campaign and the small number of people stopped at the border was evidence it worked.

"A large number of people being stopped at airports would indicate the campaign was not working," Patchell said.

"The major benefit of the campaign is that fines are paid before people travel as a result of the public awareness created."

Patchell said it was important to remember the campaign was not just about warning people about travel, but also that other enforcement measures such as wheel clamping and property seizure could occur. Of the 64 people stopped, the majority, 40, had fines balances of between $1000 and $10,000. Fourteen people owed more than $10,000.

As of February 28, $689.9 million in fines was owing and 54% of that amount ($382.2 million) was under arrangement for payment or not yet due because of pending appeals.

Rick Barker, Courts Minister under Labour, said National should by now have realised the initiative set up by the former government that set the $5000 threshold was working and may even lower it in order to stop greater numbers of people at airports.

Barker said he wasn't sure what the threshold should be changed to but it had been set at $5000 to make sure Customs officials could "handle" the workload. "The government has not been proactive," he said. Phone 0800 434 637 or visit govt.nz to pay your outstanding fines

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/latest-edition/4897039/Its-still-fine-to-go-travelling

纽西兰:关于海外驾照

Can you drive in New Zealand?

You can drive in New Zealand if you hold a driver licence from another country or an international driving permit and:
  • your overseas licence is current and valid, and
  • you've not received a disqualification or suspension in New Zealand, and
  • you last entered New Zealand less than 12 months ago, and
  • your overseas licence is in English; if it's not, you must have an accurate translation, and
  • you've not been granted a New Zealand driver licence.
If your licence or international driving permit doesn't meet these requirements, you must apply for a New Zealand driver licence to drive in New Zealand.

Here for a year or more?

If you'll be in New Zealand for more than a year, you need to gain a New Zealand driver licence. If your overseas licence is still current or expired less than 12 months ago you can apply to convert it to a New Zealand licence

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/licence/residents-visitors/driving-nz.html


What is suspension from driving?

Suspension is a stand-down period from driving. Your licence will be taken by the Police or you must send it to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).

Demerit suspension
If you collect 100 or more demerit points over a two-year period, you will be suspended from driving for three months. The suspension period starts as soon as you receive the demerit suspension notice from the NZTA, the Police or an NZTA authorised agent.

Roadside licence suspension
If you are caught committing a serious driving offence which puts lives at risk, the Police can give you a 28-day roadside licence suspension. This means that the Police will take your drivers licence from you on the spot, and you cannot drive for 28 days. You might have to pay for your car to be removed from the roadside, as you won't be allowed to drive it home.
The Police can do this if you:
  • go over a permanent speed limit by more than 40 km/h (not including speed camera offences)
  • go over any other speed limit by more than 50 km/h (not including speed camera offences)
  • drive with more than 650 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath but have no relevant convictions
  • drive with more than 130 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood but have no relevant convictions 
  • fail or refuse to take a blood test for excess blood alcohol, or refuse to supply a blood sample
  • are caught drink-driving and have been convicted of a similar offence within the previous four years
  • drive with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood and have relevant convictions within the last four years
The Police can apply to the court to extend the 28 day suspension period up to three times.
After suspension you will go to court, and if you’re found guilty, you may not be allowed to drive for a longer period of time. This is called disqualification.

What actions would disqualify me from driving?

If you are convicted of a driving offence, the court may disqualify you from driving for a period of time.
You can be disqualified from driving for a number of reasons:
  • drink-driving offences in which you are over the legal limit
  • going 40km/h or more over the speed limit
  • reckless or dangerous driving
  • careless or inconsiderate driving causing injury or death
  • failing to stop after an accident
  • driving with blood or breath alcohol over the legal limit
  • driving under the influence of drugs. These can be illegal drugs like ‘P’ or prescription drugs, so if you are given medication, you should check with your doctor that you will be alright to drive.
  • refusing to remain at a breath testing station
  • refusing an evidential blood test
  • failing to adequately secure a load in or on your vehicle
  • unauthorised displays of speed or drag racing
  • driving while disqualified from driving or breaking the terms of a limited licence
  • applying for a licence while disqualified
For many of these offences, it is up to the court to decide whether or not you should be disqualified from driving, and for how long. Repeat offences could result in you being disqualified from driving indefinitely.

http://www.cab.org.nz/vat/tt/ad/Pages/DisqualificationSuspension.aspx

2012-08-04

智利:移民政策

移民智利目前主要可以通过投资、工作和留学三种方式。

       投资移民申请着需在智利有投资,开办公司或与智利企业合资、合作。满足投资条件者可先申请一年期的投资移民临时居留身份,一年期满即可申请五年永久居留身 份。审批时间一般为半年到一年。也就是说,如果满足投资移民的一切条件,企业运作正常,一般需一年半至两年即可取得智利永久居留身份,但在一年期临时身份 期间要求申请人离境(离开智利)时间不得超过半年。获得永久居留身份后,且在智利累计呆满五年者可以申请加入智利国籍。

       工作移民申请者需与智利企业签署工作合同。每年一签,一次给予一年的临时工作居留身份,但要求一年内离境(离开智利)时间不得超过25天,连续获得三年临时工作拘留身份者方可申请永久居留身份。

       持学生签证进入智利留学者,在学生签证期间可申请工作许可。学习期满后如与智利公司签署工作合同,即可按工作移民申请条件获得一年的临时居留身份,一年期满后可申请永久居留身份。

       永久居留权的时间为20年,为了保留永久居留权的地位,持有永久居留权的人士应该做到每年不少于1个月的时间在智利的领土,另外持永久居留权的人士可以在智利的驻外使馆延长永久居留权的时限。

http://bbs.news.ifeng.com/viewthread.php?tid=12450132&extra=page%3D1

荷兰:高技能移民

Can I become a highly skilled migrant to the Netherlands - even if I haven't got a job yet?

If you are well qualified, but do not yet have a job in the Netherlands, you can get an entry visa - an 'authorisation for temporary stay' (MVV) - and then apply for a one-year residence permit. During that year, you can look for employment as a 'highly skilled migrant' or start up an innovative company.



To be eligible, you must be in possession of one of the following diplomas or certificates, which must have been issued within the past three years:
  • a master's degree or doctorate from a recognised Dutch institution of higher education listed in the Central Register of Higher Education Study Programmes (CROHO) or
  • a master's degree or doctorate from a non-Dutch institution of higher education which is ranked in the top 150 establishments in either the Times Higher Education 2007 list or the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2007 issued by Jiao Ton Shanghai University in 2007. The certificate or diploma must also be approved by the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education (NUFFIC). To obtain this approval, you need to send your document(s) to: NUFFIC, Postbus 29777, 2502 LT Den Haag, The Netherlands.

If your diploma is in a language other than Dutch, English, French or German, you must have it translated by a sworn translator before you send it to NUFFIC.

You will have an advantage if:
· you are under 40 years of age;
· you have worked or studied in the Netherlands before;
· you speak Dutch or English;
· you hold a bachelor's or master's degree or a doctorate from a higher education institution in a European country that is a signatory to the Bologna Declaration.

How do I become a highly skilled migrant?
You can become a highly skilled migrant if:
1. your employer has been admitted to the 'Highly Skilled Migrants Scheme' organised by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) and you will be earning a gross contract salary of at least £25,800 a year. (This minimum figure will be updated every year) or
2. you obtain a residence permit as a self-employed person, on the basis that you are already well qualified (see above for the educational requirements) and that the company you intend to start serves an essential economic purpose in the Netherlands. This will be assessed in terms of:
· your personal background (education and training, entrepreneurship and work experience);
· your business plan (market analysis, product/service; pricing; organisation; finance);
· the added value for the Netherlands (innovation, job creation and investment opportunities).
· if you qualify for a residence permit under these conditions, you do not need a work permit.

Do I need a work permit in order to work in the Netherlands?
Once a designated highly skilled migrant has a contract of employment, the employer does not need to apply for a work permit. However, if you do not yet meet the requirements to become a highly skilled migrant, your prospective employer will have to obtain a work permit for you before he can employ you.



What if I can't find suitable work as a highly skilled migrant, or fail to start up an innovative company during my year of temporary residence? Am I still allowed to stay in the Netherlands?

Yes, providing you meet alternative residence criteria, such as having paid employment. But in that case, your prospective employer will have to obtain a work permit for you.



Do I have to prove that I have enough money before moving to the Netherlands?
No, that isn't necessary. You are allowed to work in the Netherlands. But unless you find work as a highly skilled migrant, your employer will have to apply for a work permit for you. In practice, obtaining a work permit for non-EU nationals is difficult and time-consuming. Bear in mind that you are not entitled to any financial assistance from the Dutch government.



Can I bring my partner and children to the Netherlands?
Yes, provided you can prove that your income is adequate. If you do not have any independent income, you must be able to prove that you have an employment contract for at least twelve months, with a monthly salary of at least £1,464 (as of January 2009). (This minimum figure will be updated every six months).



Is my partner allowed to work in the Netherlands?
In principle, yes. But only if the prospective employer has obtained a work permit (TWV) for him/her as a non-EU national. Once you are employed as a highly skilled migrant, you will be issued with a residence permit which states that your employer is exempt from the work permit requirement. At the same time, your partner will receive a new residence permit exempting his/her employer from the work permit requirement.



After completing my studies in the Netherlands, I was granted a year to find work as a highly skilled migrant. Am I entitled to apply for a second year? 
No, the maximum time allowed is one year. 



How much does an entry visa for the Netherlands cost and how long will it take for me to get one?
Anyone wishing to stay in the Netherlands for an uninterrupted period of more than three months must apply for an authorisation for temporary stay (an MVV). You need an MVV in order to apply for a residence permit. The MVV costs €600. After your payment has been received, you will usually hear within four weeks whether your application for an MVV has been successful.



How much will a Netherlands visa cost for my partner and children?
If you apply for MVVs for all your family members at the same time - assuming you can prove that you have sufficient independent income the cost will be €250 per person. An MVV is valid for entry into the Netherlands during a period of 6 months. If your partner applies for a MVV while you are already in the Netherlands, he or she will have to pay €1250, plus €250 per accompanying child.
 
http://www.dutchembassyuk.org/consular/index.php?i=307

2012-08-03

新加坡:组屋政策面面观



关于组屋的规例


建屋发展局的规例只让新加坡公民购买新组屋,而永久居民则只可以在二手转卖市场上购入组屋。在组屋购入后,一般上必须在屋主住满五年后才可转卖。建屋发展局规定一个完整的家庭只能同时拥有一间政府组屋,另外对单身人士购买组屋,建屋发展局也有相当多的限制。


 新加坡的组屋政策及其成效

  小户型 低房价

新加坡建国初期,普通居民的居住条件恶劣,平均每一户居民不足一间居室。据官方统计,当时200万人口中有40%的家庭住在贫民窟或棚户区,能 够住上像样住宅的人口只占居民总数的9%,政府面临严峻的住宅问题。20世纪60年代初,新加坡成立了建屋发展局,专门负责建造公共组屋(相当于中国的经 济适用住房)。为解决广大中低收入居民的住宅问题,建屋发展局开始大规模兴建低标准、小户型住房。后来,政府又宣布实行“居者有其屋”计划,推行住房自有 化政策,鼓励中低收入阶层以分期付款方式购买组屋。

现在的新加坡,组屋已成为当地住房市场的主体,87%的人住在其中。这种住宅比私人房地产市场上的商品住房便宜许多,得到普通民众的青睐。



  新加坡建屋发展局对组屋的定价不以成本为考量,多年来建屋发展局几乎一直都在做亏本生意。在2006~2007财年,政府建屋发展局亏损了 7.4亿新元(约合37亿元人民币),建屋发展局的赤字由政府资金填补,而从政府开始拨款计算至今,累计的政府补助金总额已达160多亿新元(约合800 亿元人民币)。

  新加坡政府公共住房计划优惠政策很详细,比如申请购买组屋的家庭,成员最少只需两个人即可;申请者家庭月收入不超过8000新元。为了能够让每一位居民都能买得起住房,新加坡政府推出一系列优惠措施:

  首先,制定公积金制度,进行强制性储蓄,即规定雇主和雇员各按雇员工资收入的一定比例逐月缴纳公积金,分别用于未来的养老、住房、医疗、保险、 教育等用途,使得居民的购房能力得到大幅提高。建屋发展局将根据购房者收入情况发放贷款,确保购房者每月还款额比例不会超过其收入的四成,房屋的分期付款 最长期限可为30年。此外,购房者同时还可以申请商业贷款。

  其次,在组屋的建设过程中,政府始终坚持小户型、低房价原则,保证绝大多数居民能够负担得起(当地房价按套计算,因而控制户型就能基本控制房价)。

  第三,政府对居民购买组屋实行免税优惠措施,如购买三房以下组屋,出售价格常低于半价;对购买四房组屋的价格约降15%;对购买五房的,则稍有 优惠。如果购买二手组屋,政府将视买房家庭的收入状况,提供1万至7万新元不等的津贴,存入买房者的公积金户头。为了强化东方家庭的价值观,如果购房者选 择在靠近父母居住的地点购买二手组屋,还能额外获得1万新元的津贴。

  新加坡组屋是政府为每一个国民家庭所建造的保障性住房。也就是说,只要是新加坡公民,并已经通过合法婚姻组成了家庭,那你就有权利以政府保证价格购买一套由政府补贴的组屋。新加坡组屋都是经过精装修,附带基本家具,入住者只要拎着行李即可入住。

  严格管理组屋租售环节

  一般来说,新加坡中低收入家庭4年至5年的收入之和,或者20年至30年可用于住房消费的公积金之和,就能够购买一套组屋。目前组屋的出售价格 比市场价格低50%左右,98%的中低收入家庭都买得起公共组屋。由于低廉的价格,新加坡对组屋的政策定位是以自住为主,对居民购买组屋的次数有严格的限 制。首先,购买了组屋,就必须住,否则将面临高额罚款及牢狱之灾。其次,新加坡政府对组屋的购买人资格、再上市及出租管理等问题都有明确的规定,不给投机 者留下可乘之机。一个家庭同时只能拥有一套组屋,如果要购买新房子,旧组屋必须退出来,以防止投机多占;如果是未婚,还有年龄的限制;屋主在一定年限内不 得整房出租;5年内组屋不得转让,也不能用于商业性经营。另外,业主出售购买时间不足1年的组屋,要缴纳高额的房产税。新加坡政府表示,任何人在买卖组屋 时,必须提供翔实的资料,一旦发现虚报,将面临高达5000新元的罚款或6个月的监禁,严重者两者兼施。

  重视组屋改造和开发利用

  新加坡政府还十分重视旧组屋的改造和开发利用。

  政府建屋发展局每年都会拿出一定的资金来翻修、改造和重建一部分公共组屋。在1989年之后展开的大型翻新工程,为老旧组屋区注入了新鲜活力, 使它们能够同新建组屋区相媲美。20年前的公共组屋电梯隔一层才能停,现在都重新进行了翻修,使电梯可在每层楼停留,以方便上了年纪的居民出入。为适应近 年来人口不断老龄化的需要,组屋区内还逐渐增添了更多的人性化设施,以打造无障碍环境。

  新加坡建屋发展局在建造房屋的同时,还扮演着促进社会和谐的角色。为了保留和发扬具有象征意义的新加坡“甘榜精神”(邻里之间团结互助的精 神),在建造组屋的同时,在每一个组屋区还辅助建造了邻里商店(超市)、菜市场和小商品市场以及各种饮食中心等,不仅方便了组屋区的民众生活,而且促进了 居民之间的交往。

  新加坡也是个多民族的国家,为了促进族群之间的融合和生活和谐,新加坡政府规定,凡是迁居到组屋区的各族居民必须采取抽签制,以确保每一座组屋 都有比例均衡的各族居民,规定每个组屋邻里和各座组屋的各族群居民必须达到一定的比例,以鼓励各族居民之间互相交往。邻里的每座组屋都有大小不同的面积, 让不同收入的各族家庭生活在一起,共同使用儿童游乐场和健身园地等公共设施。

  廉租房提供给低收入家庭

  据记者了解,在目前居住组屋的人口中,有95%在政府“居者有其屋”的计划下购买了房子,其余一些收入过低、处在社会底层的低收入家庭,则选择 租赁组屋居住。新加坡政府建屋发展局特别针对收入过低的家庭制定了相应的租赁组屋计划,由政府提供大量津贴,帮助他们找到安居之所。例如,月收入少于 1500新元的家庭,可以申请租赁一房式(使用面积约33平方米)或者二房式的组屋,政府最低以市场租价的10%来收取租金。如果家庭月收入不超过800 新元,一套一房式组屋的每月租价仅有26至33新元左右。

  新加坡目前有85%的人口住在政府提供的公共组屋里,只有15%的人口住在开发商建造的房子,这其中还包括一些外来投资者。目前新加坡的组屋达 到了100万套,基本上满足了全岛人口居住的需要。由于新加坡大多数家庭都拥有低价组屋,新加坡的商品房市场总体上并不活跃,商品房价格主要受经济景气程 度、银行贷款利率等市场因素影响。建造组屋的建屋发展局可无偿得到政府划拨的土地,而私人房地产商必须通过土地批租,有偿获得土地使用权。正是运用这种方 式,政府可以对私人房地产的开发、扩张行为进行有效监控。

  很多早年用低廉价格买下组屋自住,如今手里有点闲钱的新加坡人,也会考虑给自己的房屋“升级”,即卖掉小房换大房,甚至购买商品房以用作出租等投资用途。

  新加坡总理李显龙在出席新加坡建屋发展局成立50周年纪念晚会上承诺说,政府将确保组屋价格继续保持在多数国人能够负担得起的水平,并按照人口增长速度适时增建组屋,以满足人们不断提高的住房需求。

  李显龙说,组屋作为维持社会稳定的基石之一,其重要性不言而喻。公共住房不仅塑造了新加坡国民的国家身份认同感和作为公民的共同记忆,同时也塑造了新加坡的公共社区,为国家的社会稳定和经济繁荣奠定了基础。
 

http://www.chinanews.com/estate/2011/01-31/2824339.shtml