More than 100 migrant workers, primarily from India and Bangladesh, visited the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) office in Bendemeer on June 22 to claim unpaid wages owed by KPA Engineering and SK Industries [1, 2, 3, 4]. The workers reported wage arrears of two to four months, with amounts ranging from about SGD 600 up to SGD 4,000 each [1, 4, 5].
KPA Engineering, based on Tagore Lane, provides air-conditioner maintenance services. SK Industries is related and shares a common director with KPA Engineering, who is reportedly uncontactable and linked to several firms in air-conditioning, plumbing, and building services [1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9]. Creditors have sought contact regarding unpaid loans [6, 7].
The number of affected workers rose to approximately 400 as of June 23-24, many housed at Tuas View Dormitory [6, 7, 8, 9, 5]. Workers have reported difficulties contacting recruiting agents or employers and believe KPA Engineering may be bankrupt. Some also said food supply stopped due to caterers ceasing services amid unpaid bills [1, 4, 6, 7].
MOM and the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) are investigating the claims and possible breaches of employment laws by both companies [4, 10, 11, 5]. Ng Hwei Min, TADM general manager, said, "The immediate priority is to support them by ensuring that they have access to appropriate housing and meals" [4]. MOM staff reportedly informed some workers their work permits could be cancelled but arranged new passes to enable job changes [4].
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has identified about 40 companies offering 150 vacancies to affected workers. NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said, "The practice of abandoning the workers and not paying salaries is not something the NTUC will stand [by] without acting upon" [5]. The workers have been given SGD 100 in cash and SGD 100 in FairPrice vouchers each as financial aid [5, 12].
Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash described the workers' stories as "heart-wrenching," adding their unpaid salaries have taken a toll on them and their families. He announced plans to move workers to the MOM Onboard Centre after their dormitory terms end [5].
