MOM probes firms after over 100 migrant workers seek help over unpaid wages and housing concerns

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating two companies after more than 100 migrant workers gathered at the ministry's services centre in Bendemeer on 22 June 2026, seeking assistance over unpaid salaries and housing arrangements.

According to state media CNA, the affected work permit holders were employed by KPA Engineering and S K Industries.

Ng Hwei Min, general manager of the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM), said MOM and TADM were providing support to the workers while reaching out to their employers.

"We understand that the current period is a difficult and uncertain one for the workers," Ng said.

She added that the immediate priority was to ensure workers had access to appropriate accommodation and meals.

Workers may also seek new employment while the matter is being addressed.

"MOM will take the necessary and appropriate enforcement action against the companies should they be found to have breached any of the employment laws," Ng said.

Workers seek help over unpaid wages

The workers gathered at the MOM office after claiming they were owed wages by KPA Engineering, an air-conditioning servicing company that they said had ceased operations.

According to reports, many of the workers were employed by the company at its former premises in Tagore Lane.

The workers began arriving at the MOM Services Centre at about 9am and were met by ministry officials before being escorted into the building for assistance.

Several workers told local media Lianhe Zaobao they had gone months without receiving salaries.

Rajenderan Berthap, a 36-year-old worker from India who had worked at the company for three years, said delayed salary payments had occurred previously but alleged that this was the first time wages had gone unpaid.

He said he had received only S$200 in June and had not been paid since March, leaving him owed about S$5,000.

According to Rajenderan, company management had promised that salaries would be paid on 20 June 2026. However, the payment did not materialise and workers subsequently received no response to their enquiries.

"The past three months have been especially difficult," he said, adding that he had relied on financial support from family members and had gone without food for two days.

"Although MOM still needs time to investigate the matter, they gave us cup noodles to eat. That is already very good."

Workers discover company office closed

Another worker, Zakir, 38, from Bangladesh, arrived at the service centre early in the morning and said workers were being processed in stages by MOM officers.

He said workers visited the company's office after allegedly being disappointed over promised payments last weekend, only to find the premises locked and unattended.

Zakir said he later learnt that the company had ceased operations.

With his work permit nearing expiry, he said he was now looking for alternative employment opportunities.

"Although only about 300 workers came on Monday, the company has more employees than that," he said.

Another worker from India, who identified himself only as Sampath, said several employees had not been paid for two months despite repeatedly raising concerns with management.

He said workers later heard that the company had closed its business.

Four employees who declined to be named said they had been recruited by an Indian national to perform electrical and air-conditioning-related work for the company.

They said they had been unable to contact the recruiting agent and had not received salaries for at least two months.

One worker said he earned about S$600 a month and was owed S$1,400 in unpaid wages. Another said he was owed S$4,000.

Questions over company records and addresses

A check of KPA Engineering's LinkedIn profile indicated that the company was previously based at 42 Tagore Lane.

However, its website was no longer accessible as of 22 June.

The Straits Times reported that a visit to the Tagore Lane address found construction firm CHL Construction operating there instead.

An employee of CHL Construction said the company had moved into the premises in September 2025 after KPA Engineering vacated the site.

The employee added that CHL Construction had no connection to KPA Engineering and had turned away individuals who arrived looking for the air-conditioning company.

Despite reports that the company had ceased operations, business records showed KPA Engineering remained listed as an active company.

Records indicated that the firm had a registered address at Westech Building, 237 Pandan Loop.

According to business filings, KPA Engineering has two directors, both foreigners with registered residential addresses in Hillview.

One of the directors, a Singapore permanent resident, is also listed as a director of six other companies involved in engineering, plumbing and air-conditioning works.

Six companies, including KPA Engineering, are registered to a unit at Westech Building.

ST reported that the same director was previously involved with KPA Minimart in Changi and KPA Services in Pandan Loop.

Checks by the newspaper found that the unit at Westech Building was occupied by a business that had no apparent links to the directors of KPA Engineering.