SINGAPORE - Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower said on July 7 that two firms had lost work-pass privileges in a migrant-worker salary case involving 407 claims.
The ministry curtailed KPA Engineering’s privileges in April and VVR Plant Engineering’s in early June because of levy defaults, according to a written parliamentary reply by Manpower Minister Tan See Leng. The companies have not been able to hire new foreign workers since then.
The case involves KPA Engineering, SK Industries and VVR Plant Engineering. MOM said 196 migrant workers from KPA Engineering and SK Industries approached the ministry on June 22 with unpaid salary claims. More workers later came forward, including employees from VVR Plant Engineering.
MOM and the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management helped the workers lodge salary claims, checked on their well-being and addressed food and housing needs. The ministry has started investigations into the three companies for possible offences under the Employment Act and the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.
“MOM will look beyond individual companies to examine who exercises effective control over employment and payment decisions, and take enforcement action accordingly,” Tan said.
All affected workers who needed alternative accommodation have been rehoused. MOM also issued Special Passes allowing the workers to remain in Singapore while looking for new employment. More than 130 workers have found jobs with new employers, and the majority of claims have been processed by TADM.
The case also raised questions about earlier warning signs. Tan said five KPA Engineering workers approached TADM individually in 2025 over salary non-payment, and those cases were resolved within a week after the workers were paid.
Four more KPA Engineering workers filed claims in May and before June 22, and those claims were still being processed when the larger group sought help.
MOM was also informed on June 8 of a dormitory eviction notice affecting many KPA Engineering employees. The ministry said it spoke to workers, found that many were facing salary delays and contacted company directors before the June 22 group approach, according to the CNA report.
Singapore relies heavily on migrant labour in construction, marine and process sectors. MOM’s latest foreign workforce data showed 482,600 Work Permit holders in those sectors as of December 2025, making salary enforcement central to worker protection and employer oversight.
Employers who fail to pay salaries may face fines of between S$3,000 and S$15,000 per charge, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. MOM said it monitors salary-related risks through worker feedback, salary claims, late-payment patterns, levy defaults and other signs of financial or employment irregularities.