Workers from VVR Plant Engineering have joined a growing group of migrant employees reporting unpaid wages, marking the third firm connected to a single permanent resident director who reportedly left Singapore. Islam Md Rafiul, a 20-year-old Bangladeshi national, stated on June 24 that he has not received his $800 monthly salary for three months, preventing him from sending financial support to his family.
Did You Know? Corporate intelligence platform Sayari indicates that the director, Indian national Ramu Palani Velu, holds directorships across seven different companies in Singapore, all of which are registered to provide services in the air-con, plumbing, and building sectors.
Who is involved in the wage dispute?
The dispute involves hundreds of migrant workers employed by VVR Plant Engineering, KPA Engineering, and SK Industries. According to reports from Tuas View Dormitory, approximately 400 workers met with NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng, representatives from the Migrant Workers’ Centre, and Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash to discuss unpaid wages and housing concerns. These three firms share a common director, Ramu Palani Velu, who has been unreachable for comment.
What is the status of the investigation?
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has confirmed it is investigating KPA Engineering and SK Industries for possible breaches. Meanwhile, the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management is attempting to contact the employers involved. Efforts to reach Ramu at his registered Hillview address have failed, as the unit is currently rented to a doctor, and previous business addresses in Marine Crescent have yielded no contact, according to site visits.
Expert Insight: The concentration of multiple business entities under a single director who remains unreachable creates a significant hurdle for regulatory enforcement. When companies are structured this way—often to secure specialized permits like those for Jurong Island—the sudden departure of a lead director can leave workers in a precarious legal and financial position, as seen in the mounting creditor claims at the director’s former addresses.
How did the companies change hands?
VVR Plant Engineering, formerly known as VMD Integrated, was acquired by Ramu in 2025. The previous owner, Ravi Martin Abraham, stated that the sale was prompted by a family crisis and that the company was valued for its access to work permits in the specialized process sector. Martin noted that the family had no prior relationship with Ramu and has had no contact with him since the transaction was completed.
What happens next?
As the Ministry of Manpower continues its investigation, the total number of workers affected across the seven linked companies remains under review. If the director cannot be located, authorities may be forced to rely on remaining company directors, such as Krishnamurthy Sundaramoorthy of KPA Engineering, to resolve outstanding labor disputes. Creditors and employees are likely to continue seeking legal avenues to recover unpaid wages and loans as the investigation into these corporate entities proceeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all seven of the director’s companies currently under investigation?
The Ministry of Manpower has specified that it is investigating KPA Engineering and SK Industries for possible breaches, but it has not yet confirmed if all seven companies linked to the director are under investigation.
How long have the workers been without pay?
Workers like 20-year-old Islam Md Rafiul have reported being unpaid for three months, which has impacted their ability to send money to their families in Bangladesh.
Why was VVR Plant Engineering sold?
According to former owner Ravi Martin Abraham, the company was sold during a family crisis because the business held valuable work permits for the specialized process sector, which are difficult for new companies to obtain.
What steps can be taken to better protect migrant workers when their employers suddenly cease operations?
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