Migrant workers claiming unpaid wages from KPA Engineering and SK Industries rise to about 400

The number of workers claiming unpaid wages linked to air-conditioning services company KPA Engineering and related firm SK Industries has increased to around 400, according to state media reports, as authorities continue investigations into allegations involving unpaid salaries and housing arrangements.

The Straits Times reported that an additional 100 migrant workers from India and Bangladesh had alerted authorities to concerns over unpaid wages and accommodation issues, bringing the total number of affected workers to about 400.

The latest development follows an earlier intervention by the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC), which said it had engaged more than 300 workers to hear their concerns and provide assistance.

Support measures for affected workers

In a Facebook post on 22 June, MWC said it had been on the ground addressing workers’ immediate concerns, including food, accommodation, salary claims and employment-related issues.

The organisation said many workers it met at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on the morning of 22 June had little or no money available for food or transport.

“When MWC met the migrant workers at the Ministry of Manpower this morning, many had little or no money for food or transportation,” the organisation said.

“MWC stepped in swiftly to take care of their immediate needs, arranging for food and transportation assistance.”

The organisation added that it was also prepared to provide temporary shelter and assistance with changing employers where necessary.

MWC said it would help affected workers pursue salary claims through the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) while continuing to support their immediate welfare needs.

“While their claims are being worked out, MWC will continue to take care of the migrant workers’ more immediate needs and help them through this difficult period,” it said.

The organisation encouraged workers facing salary-related disputes or workplace problems to seek help early and reiterated that employers have a responsibility to pay salaries fully and on time.

MOM investigation underway

The Ministry of Manpower previously confirmed that it was investigating KPA Engineering and SK Industries after more than 100 migrant workers gathered at the ministry’s services centre in Bendemeer on 22 June seeking assistance.

Ng Hwei Min, general manager of TADM, said the ministry would take action if breaches of employment regulations were established.

“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 describe months of unpaid salaries

Several workers told local media they were owed months of wages by KPA Engineering, which they alleged had ceased operations.

Workers said they had repeatedly raised concerns about delayed salary payments but received little response from management.

Some reported discovering that the company’s office was locked and unattended after promised payments failed to materialise.

Rajenderan Berthap, a 36-year-old worker from India, said he had received only S$200 in June and had not been fully paid since March.

According to his account, he was owed approximately S$5,000 in unpaid wages.

Rajenderan said the situation had placed significant financial strain on him over the past three months, forcing him to depend on support from family members and, at times, go without food.

Other workers reported unpaid wage claims ranging from S$1,400 to S$4,000.

Some said they had continued working despite not receiving salaries for at least two months.

Questions over company operations

Questions have also emerged regarding KPA Engineering’s business operations and registered addresses.

A review of the company’s LinkedIn profile indicated that it had previously operated from 42 Tagore Lane.

However, its website was inaccessible as of 22 June.

According to ST, a visit to the Tagore Lane address found construction firm CHL Construction operating from the premises.

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

The employee said CHL Construction had no connection with KPA Engineering.

Despite reports suggesting the company had ceased operations, business records continued to list KPA Engineering as an active company.

Business registry records show KPA Engineering was established in 2014 and currently has one other active director.

Corporate records draw scrutiny

ST reported that one individual linked to KPA Engineering established another company in 2019 and a separate company in 2020 involving three former directors.

The same individual later registered SK Industries in 2023, serving as its sole director while the company also had a shareholder.

In 2025, three additional companies were reportedly registered on a single day with the same individual listed as sole director.

Records indicate that KPA Engineering maintained a registered address at Westech Building, located at 237 Pandan Loop.

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

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

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

ST further reported that the same director had previously been associated with KPA Minimart in Changi and KPA Services in Pandan Loop.

Checks conducted by the newspaper found that the Westech Building unit was occupied by a business with no apparent connection to KPA Engineering’s directors.

The newspaper reported that KPA Engineering and SK Industries share a common director who is linked to five other firms involved in air-conditioning, plumbing and building-related services.

Affected workers told the newspaper they had been unable to contact the director for several weeks.

The report also stated that creditors had been attempting to reach the director regarding alleged unpaid loan claims.

Advocates highlight obstacles facing workers

Labour and migrant worker advocacy groups said the case highlighted longstanding challenges faced by foreign workers seeking to recover unpaid salaries.

Ethan Guo, executive director of Transient Workers Count Too, said several workers from KPA Engineering had approached the organisation about a week earlier and were advised to file salary claims through TADM.

Guo noted that workers seeking to transfer employers often face significant financial barriers.

“If they are lucky enough to find a job through an employment agency, the standard fee is two months’ salary for a two-year contract, which they cannot afford to pay since they are already in financial difficulty,” he said.

Guo said workers frequently delayed reporting salary disputes because employers encouraged them to wait while making occasional partial payments.

“The reality, however, is that employers usually persuade the workers to wait, sometimes making small payments along the way,” he said.

“And the workers, having sunk in a lot of money in recruitment fees, are also reluctant to make a complaint for fear of losing their jobs.”

“That’s because the employers have the ability to cancel their work permits and repatriate them at any time.”

Prashant Somosundram, deputy director of Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics, said many workers struggle to navigate the claims process because of language barriers and limited understanding of employment regulations.

“At present, workers often have very limited options to recover unpaid salaries from bankrupt employers,” he said.

“If a worker has done the work, they must be paid. Wage recovery should not be treated as charity or discretionary assistance.”