Two companies – Process Maintenance Solutions and Jurong Technical & Construction – are under probe over salaries owed to migrant workers, the Ministry of Manpower said over the weekend.
Close to 240 migrant workers in the process sector have not received their pay for up to two months, NTUC deputy secretary-general Desmond Choo said on Oct 23.
He said in a Facebook post that the National Trades Union Congress is working with MOM to arrange centralised accommodation, job-matching assistance and help with salary claims, including overtime pay for the affected workers.
The authorities are also providing financial assistance where needed, he said, adding that about 90 workers are receiving daily meals.
According to his post, the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) and MOM’s Assurance, Care and Engagement Group met 230 migrant workers on Oct 19 and 20 to understand their needs.
The migrant workers came from Bangladesh to work in Singapore’s process sector, with some having paid S$12,000 just to get here, NTUC senior executive Jeremiah Khoo said in a video accompanying Choo’s post.
In a statement on Oct 23, Michael Lim, director of NTUC’s migrant workers segment, said MWC is aware of unpaid salary claims affecting migrant workers from Process Maintenance Solutions and Jurong Technical & Construction.
“We recognise that unpaid salaries can cause significant hardship for migrant workers, affecting their daily essentials and the families who depend on their income,” Mr Lim said, adding that MWC is assisting the workers in filing claims for unpaid salaries with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM).
He said meals are provided to workers through the Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund, and MWC is working with employment agency partners to find suitable employment and transition assistance for them.
MOM said it takes a serious view of non-payment of salaries.“Appropriate enforcement action will be taken if breaches of employment laws are established.”
It added that it is working with MWC and TADM to assist the affected workers with their salary claims and immediate needs, including accommodation and alternative employment arrangements.
According to the video in Mr Choo’s Facebook post, if employers are unable to pay the workers, a token sum will be provided through the assistance fund. Those who are unable to find new jobs in Singapore may have to return home, Mr Khoo said.
Both Mr Choo and Mr Lim urged anyone who knows of migrant workers facing workplace or salary issues to call MWC’s 24-hour helpline on 6536-2692, which offers assistance in different languages.
Mr Lim urged them to come forward early to seek guidance and assistance.
“These workers deserve to be paid for their hard work and we will do what we can to support them,” Mr Choo said. “No worker should face this alone.” THE STRAITS TIMES
