MOM looking into two firms over unpaid salaries of migrant workers

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is looking into two firms, Process Maintenance Solutions and Jurong Technical & Construction, over salaries that migrant workers have not been paid, it said on Saturday (Oct 24).

In a statement, MOM said it knew of salary arrears affecting migrant workers employed by the two companies. Non-payment of wages is viewed gravely by the ministry, which also stated that its probes remained under way. It added: "Appropriate enforcement action will be taken if breaches of employment laws are established."

Close to 240 workers affected

Roughly 240 migrant workers in the process sector have received no salary for as long as two months, according to Desmond Choo, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) deputy secretary-general, who spoke on Friday. Almost all of the affected workers were sole breadwinners, and the missed payments were hurting their families back home, Mr Choo said.

Help for the workers

MOM said it is working closely with the Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) and the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) to help the workers with their salary claims and immediate needs, including accommodation and alternative employment arrangements.

Mr Choo wrote in a social media post on Friday that MWC and MOM were offering support, among it a daily supply of meals reaching nearly 90 workers. According to him, 230 workers were visited on Oct 19 and Oct 20 by staff of the centre and of MOM's Assurance, Care and Engagement Group, so that their needs could be grasped more fully.

Other support includes job matching to help workers find suitable employment, help with salary claims (including overtime pay) and financial assistance where needed.

Mr Choo urged anyone who knows a migrant worker with salary problems to encourage them to call MWC's 24-hour helpline at 6536 2692. "No worker should face this alone," he added.