Not sure where did you get the information that MoM has removed all restrictions. Read it carefully, MoM didn鈥檛 say any such things. MoM is a governing body whose work is to allocate work passes based on selecting criteria and rationale it has set up as its benchmark. Now, due to COVID-19 situation govt has given clear instructions to every employer to hire Singaporeans first then PRs. If you still can鈥檛 fill this with local talents then provide rationale for this as hundreds of locals have lost their jobs. Even many companies have set up skills upgradation programs to hire people from other fields who are most affected then upgrade their skills. MoM is following govt instruction and allocating work passes accordingly.
So, it鈥檚 not a normal situation here. That鈥檚 why MoM is reduced significantly giving work passes to foreigners who are not in Singapore. This what exactly happening now. You can read last few weeks threads here and you will come know that people who have IPA in hand and EP holders those are outside of Singapore stuck there as ICA rejecting their entries.
Now, looking at new clusters of COVID-19 found in UK, situation will be more stricter and subsequently it will further impact the economy and MoM & ICA will put more restrictions. Hope this situation doesn鈥檛 arise.
So, overall we are trying to say that neither MoM nor ICA has removed all restrictions as you are claiming here. But, yes if situation improves there will be some relaxation given to visitors and applicants who are not residing in Singapore. There was a separate thread I did share the news about Govt has set up a new corridor to allow business travellers visit to Singapore from all countries and under regular check up they will attend the meetings.
So, if your application is pending for 1 month then reach out your employer to find out the current status and progression.
Bear in mind, Beppi is helping expats more than a decade and I joined him to do volunteering this forum more than 4 to 5yrs back. We give instructions or advise best of our knowledge and ability. If you are not interested to take our advise then you may opted out we are not forcing you to understand the reality.
The reality I have explained in the above in details. If your few friends got pass approval, then it鈥檚 fit into my very first comment that MoM gives few passes who are part of the essential services or skills which is very much in demand but local can鈥檛 fill. Let us know how many of your friends got pass approval who are not in Singapore and their skills (specific to IT field, these are few skills which are in demand such as Data science, cyber security, AI, Blockchain, Banking payments system etc.) Did they get ICA clearance to enter Singapore? Good luck
