Singapore Govt Assists 400 Abandoned Indian, Bangladeshi Workers With Cash Aid

The Singapore government, along with labour organisations, has intervened to support around 400 migrant workers , mostly from India and Bangladesh , who were allegedly left without wages by their employers for nearly three to four months , triggering financial distress and housing uncertainty.

Under the relief measures, each affected worker will receive SGD 200 in immediate assistance , comprising SGD 100 in cash and SGD 100 in supermarket vouchers . The support is being jointly provided by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) , in coordination with authorities, to help workers meet essential daily expenses.

NTUC secretary-general and labour chief Ng Chee Meng said the intervention also includes efforts to secure alternative employment opportunities . He noted that around 150 job vacancies across nearly 40 employers have already been identified within a short period, particularly in sectors such as construction where labour demand remains steady.

The workers, currently housed at Tuas View Dormitory , reportedly informed officials that most of them are owed three to four months of unpaid wages , while some also face outstanding agency-related debts. Many have expressed willingness to continue working in Singapore if new employment arrangements are made.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has also stepped in by issuing special passes to the affected workers, allowing them to stay in Singapore legally while they seek new jobs. Officials said this measure ensures workers are not forced to leave the country during ongoing wage recovery and employment processes.

In addition, the MOM and labour bodies are working on recovery of pending salaries from the concerned employers, while investigations are underway into companies linked to the case, including KPA Engineering and related entities, over possible breaches of employment and wage regulations.

Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash said the government takes such incidents seriously and will take necessary action following investigations. He added that while the financial assistance is “modest” , it is intended to provide immediate relief to help workers manage daily needs.

Authorities also plan to relocate the affected workers to an MOM onboarding centre in Sengkang after their current stay at the dormitory ends, ensuring continued support and coordination for job placement.