SINGAPORE - Around 400 migrant workers affected by an ongoing unpaid wage dispute will receive financial assistance to help cover daily living expenses while investigations continue.

The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) announced that eligible workers will receive S$100 in cash and S$100 in FairPrice vouchers, as reported by CNA.

The support will be available to existing MWC members and workers who register for membership.

NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng said the labour movement had also identified 150 construction job vacancies from about 40 employers over the past two days.

He said efforts were underway to help affected workers secure new employment opportunities in Singapore.

Speaking during a visit to Tuas View Dormitory, where most of the workers are currently housed, Ng said discussions had also taken place with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on recovering unpaid salaries.

He stressed that employers must be held accountable for abandoning workers and failing to pay wages.

The latest assistance follows an incident in which more than 100 migrant workers employed by KPA Engineering and SK Industries sought help from MOM earlier this week after alleging they had gone unpaid for several months.

Many workers reported being unable to contact their employers regarding the outstanding wages.

Ng said there were indications that some company representatives might no longer be in Singapore.

Public records showed that one director of KPA Engineering is also linked to SK Industries and several other companies, including VVR Plant Engineering, which has also been accused of failing to pay workers.

On June 24, representatives from NTUC, MWC and MOM met around 200 affected workers to discuss their situation and distribute meals.

Most workers reported being owed between one and four months of wages.

Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash said MOM was taking a serious view of the allegations and would take appropriate action if violations were found.

He said many of the workers faced significant financial hardship due to their unpaid salaries.

Several workers shared accounts of struggling to support families back home.

Indian national M. Jayasankar, 41, said he had not received wages for the past three months and was owed approximately S$3,200.

He said his family had fallen deeper into debt and his daughter had been unable to attend school because school fees could not be paid.

Another worker, Bangladeshi national Islam Md Rafiul, said he had received only S$200 this month despite working in Singapore for six months.

The 20-year-old said he had been unable to send money home to support his family, including younger siblings and elderly grandparents.

Both workers welcomed efforts by MOM and MWC to facilitate transfers to new employers.

Authorities said helping affected workers find alternative employment remained a key priority while investigations continue.

On June 22, more than 100 migrant workers gathered at a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) office over allegations that they are owed wages by a company that has reportedly ceased operations.