India mission steps in as 400 workers in Singapore go unpaid

Summary

The High Commission of India in Singapore said on Wednesday evening that it is in touch with workers of three Singapore companies who have not been paid for months, and is also coordinating with the National Trades Union Congress and the Ministry of Manpower, which are assisting those affected. More than 400 workers from India and Bangladesh have been left without wages and accommodation by SK Industries, KPA Engineering and VVR Plant Engineering. According to a report in The Straits Times, a common director of the three firms has been identified as Indian national Ramu Palani Velu. The report said Ramu, a Singapore permanent resident, is believed to have left the country. Checks on the corporate intelligence platform Sayari showed that he is a director of seven companies in Singapore, listed as providing air-conditioning, plumbing and building services. NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, representatives from the Migrant Workers' Centre and Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash met the workers on Wednesday and assured them of help. The company had previously been owned by Indian nationals Ravi Victor and Ravi Vijayarani, and their Singaporean son Ravi Martin Abraham. The report said Indian national Sundaramoorthy Komathy served as a company director with Ramu between 2016 and 2018. Sam, not his real name, who was hired by KPA Engineering, said the workers knew Ramu as the 'big boss', while the day-to-day operations were handled by an Indian national named Moorthy. The case centres on more than 400 workers left without pay and accommodation, with Indian and Singapore authorities, trade unions and worker groups now working to support them and trace those responsible.