Migrant workers owed wages connected to new jobs

Describing the mood at the Nov 6 job-matching exercise, Hassan Md Kamrul, who was interviewed by a construction firm, said: “People were laughing and hugging each other. If it was an open space, I know we would have all been cheering.

“It has been a very difficult time for us, and we come to Singapore thinking our lives will become better. Maybe that can come true now.”

The workers, mostly from Bangladesh, are from two process sector firms being investigated by MOM for unpaid wages: Process Maintenance Solutions and Jurong Technical & Construction.

Five workers from Process Maintenance Solutions said nearly all of the roughly 120 affected workers in their firm have received their owed wages. But three workers from Jurong Technical & Construction said they have yet to be paid.

ST reported on Oct 29 that workers said they stopped receiving their salaries in August and that their work permits had been cancelled in batches since late September.

Their cases come as the number of workers reporting unpaid wages who sought assistance from the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) has doubled in the first 10 months of 2026, compared with the same period in 2024 and 2025, according to figures provided by MWC to ST on Nov 6.

MOM and MWC – a non-governmental organisation affiliated with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) – have been assisting workers with their salary claims, as well as providing employment assistance and food and accommodation during the transition.

Saimon, who was working at Jurong Technical & Construction, said he has been receiving short-term financial assistance and meals from MWC.

Rabbani said he received some cash assistance from migrant advocacy group Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2).

In a Facebook post on Nov 6, MWC – which organised the job-matching session with the Singapore Contractors Association Limited, the Association of Process Industry and its employment agency partners – said employers were connected with workers based on their skills and experience for relevant jobs.

This includes roles outside the process sector, it added.

Several workers, who had thought they would be restricted to the same sector, said it was a relief to be able to also seek jobs in the construction sector as it pays better than the process industry. The process sector involves specialised industrial, manufacturing and maintenance work at locations such as Jurong Island.

Construction workers earn an average monthly salary of $868, including allowances but not overtime, while those in the process sector receive an average of $771, according to a TWC2 survey published in August.

In response to ST’s queries, director of NTUC’s migrant workers segment Michael Lim said MWC is also assisting workers who find jobs themselves with their change of employer applications, where applicable. It will also continue to support workers with their salary claims and next steps.

As at Nov 3, the affected workers have also been moved to MOM’s onboarding centre, said Lim.

Separately, MOM told ST it is working with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management to resolve the affected workers’ salary claims. More than 90% of the 230 workers MWC has assisted have lodged salary claims, said Lim.

Asked for more details on its investigations into the two firms and their possible links, MOM said it is unable to provide specifics as investigations are ongoing. It did not address questions about the status of the workers’ salary claims.

The ministry added that it takes a serious view of the non-payment of salaries, and appropriate enforcement action will be taken if breaches of employment laws are established.

ST’s past checks showed that the directors of the two firms being investigated for unpaid wages had taken over separate companies previously held by a man arrested in July for suspected employment-related offences, in a case MOM believes involves a criminal syndicate.

Separately, workers said they had contacted the Bangladesh High Commission regarding a Bangladeshi man connected with both firms, who had recruited and deployed them to the same worksites, acting as a manager.

The Bangladesh High Commission said on Oct 26 it is aware of the case and is ready to assist MOM with investigations and assistance for workers.