‘My son asked me, when can you send money?’: Boss returns to face scrutiny as unpaid wage scandal hits Singapore

SINGAPORE, June 29 — The director at the centre of a wage dispute affecting more than 400 migrant workers has returned to Singapore and surrendered his passport as investigations gather pace, The Straits Times reported today.

Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash said Ramu Palani Velu, a director of VVR Plant Engineering, SK Industries and KPA Engineering, flew back on June 26 and is now assisting investigators.

“Any breaches will incur penalties of between S$3,000 (RM9,930) and S$15,000 (RM49,650) per charge, or six months’ jail or both,” Dinesh was quoted as saying, adding that employers are expected to comply with Singapore's labour laws.

The three firms are being investigated after hundreds of migrant workers complained they had not been paid for more than two months, with the number of affected workers eventually rising above 400.

The case has also renewed attention on the challenges facing migrant workers, with labour groups noting that more than 10,000 workers sought assistance last year for issues ranging from unpaid salaries and housing to medical insurance and legal support.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said it is working to place the workers in equivalent jobs within the next two to three weeks, while helping them pursue their salary claims.

About 20 workers have already found new employment, while more than 230 others will be moved from their dormitory in Tuas to MOM's Onboard Centre in Sengkang.

The case first surfaced after more than 100 workers turned up at an MOM service centre on June 22 seeking help over unpaid wages before the scale of the dispute widened over the following days.

For many workers, however, finding a new job does not solve the immediate financial strain.

“My son asked me, when can you send money? I cannot answer,” a site manager from Bangladesh identified only as Kawsar was quoted as saying.

He said he is owed about S$10,000 (RM33,100) in wages.

“They helped us mentally by giving food and housing. But how about my family? I cannot help my family right now,” Kawsar added, referring to MWC and MOM.

Another worker, Aruraj Edison Raj, who supports a family of five in India, said he had borrowed money from relatives after his four-year-old child was hospitalised following an accident.

According to The Straits Times, the Migrant Workers' Centre, trade unions, contractors and volunteers have since stepped in with food, temporary accommodation and job opportunities, while more than 80 companies have expressed interest in hiring the affected workers.