3 Singapore Firms Owing Around 400 Migrant Workers Linked to Same Director Who Has Left the Country

About 400 migrant workers seeking unpaid salaries in Singapore are now linked to three separate companies that all share the same director, who has reportedly left the country and remains uncontactable.

The latest development comes after workers from a third company joined dozens of others already seeking help from the authorities over unpaid wages and accommodation concerns.

According to reports, the three companies — VVR Plant Engineering, SK Industries and KPA Engineering — are all linked to the same director, Singapore permanent resident Ramu Palani Velu.

Third Group of Workers Comes Forward

Workers from SK Industries and KPA Engineering had earlier visited the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Services Centre in Bendemeer on June 22 to seek assistance over unpaid salaries and housing issues.

Most of the affected workers are from India and Bangladesh.

A third group of employees from VVR Plant Engineering has since come forward, bringing the total number of affected workers to around 400.

Authorities are currently working with the workers while investigations continue.

Director and Operations Manager Uncontactable

Ramu Palani Velu, an Indian national who holds Singapore permanent resident status, is listed as a director of seven companies involved in sectors including air-conditioning, plumbing and construction services.

Investigations found that his registered address at a private residential estate in Hillview has been rented out for the past two years and is currently occupied by a doctor.

Residents and security personnel reportedly told media that creditors had previously turned up looking for him over unpaid debts, but were denied access to the property.

At another previously registered address in Marine Crescent, a lawyer’s letter was reportedly found attached to the front door.

Ramu has remained uncontactable, while an Indian national known to workers as Moorthy, who allegedly managed the companies’ day-to-day operations, has also reportedly disappeared , according to The Straits Times (ST).

Company Sold During Family Crisis

The previous owners of VVR Plant Engineering said they sold the company to Ramu in 2025 after experiencing a family crisis.

They explained that they had never known him personally and were introduced through a third party.

According to the family, the sale was completed for a relatively small amount, as they believed Ramu wanted to acquire the company’s valuable work permits for Singapore’s specialised process sector, which are difficult for newly established businesses to obtain.

They added that Ramu had indicated he did not intend to retain the company’s existing workforce of around 15 to 20 employees, and they have had no contact with him since the sale.

Authorities Providing Assistance to Workers

The Ministry of Manpower, the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM), NTUC and the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) are assisting the affected workers.

The authorities are working to recover unpaid salaries while attempting to contact the employers involved.

KPA Engineering and SK Industries are also under investigation for possible employment-related offences.

To provide immediate relief, eligible affected workers who join the Migrant Workers’ Centre can receive S$100 in cash and S$100 worth of NTUC vouchers.

In addition, about 150 job vacancies from 40 construction companies have been made available to help workers secure new employment, while temporary accommodation, meals and transport are also being arranged.