More than 80 companies in Singapore have come forward with nearly 400 job vacancies to hire 407 migrant workers affected by unpaid wages, Labour chief Ng Chee Meng announced on June 26, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The affected workers, primarily from India and Bangladesh, were previously employed by KPA Engineering, SK Industries, and VVR Plant Engineering, firms providing air-conditioning, plumbing, and building services [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. All three companies, along with four others, share the same director, Singapore permanent resident Ramu Palani Velu, who is uncontactable and believed to have left Singapore [1, 2, 3, 4].
The workers had approached Singapore's Ministry of Manpower Services Centre on June 22, 2026, after going unpaid for at least two months [1, 2, 3, 4]. The Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) met over 300 affected individuals on June 23 to offer support and assistance [1, 2, 3, 4].
To improve coordination, the 407 workers will be relocated to a single lodging facility in Tuas View, where the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) will help them lodge claims and resolve employment disputes on-site [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Workers who sign up as MWC members are eligible for S$200 in cash and vouchers to cover daily expenses [5].
Ng Chee Meng said, "On jobs, we have received interest from over 80 companies with close to 400 vacancies, and our unions are sending in more referrals. Job placement kicks off next week. We will make sure no one is left behind in this process" [1, 5].
Some workers, like Prakash, have mixed feelings about the future. "After that ends, I'm not sure what to do. I'll see how. I might have to take on loans," he said. "I've been here for 21 years. Now I just want to see how life would go back home" [5].
Job placements for the affected workers will begin in the week starting June 29, 2026, as authorities continue efforts to resolve outstanding wage issues and help workers transition to new employment [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
