The Indian migrant workers are claiming their salary. This workers may return home with negative images of Singapore. The workers felt cheated as Wan Soon Construction refused to honour the agreeement with MOM to settle payment of 4 to 6 months of salary. Think Centre hopes that NTUCs Migrant Workers' Forum will take immediate steps to overcome the problem in cooperation with MOM. Think Centre expresses solidarity with the Indian migrant workers.
Wan Soon Construction: Refused to pay salaries for 400 migrant workers for 5 months
Migrant workers from India, Bangladesh, Thailand and China claim they are owed $3,000 to $7,000 [from 4 to 6 months pay].
More then 100 workers were sent back with only $400.
Wed 14 April 2004: Wan Soon Construction refused to honour MOM deal
The Company had suggested paying immediately $300 to each worker and also agreed to pay one month's salary at April end and late settle the remaining sum owed.
Fri 25 June 2004: Wan Soon Construction refused to honour MOM deal
According to the Ministry Of Manpower (MOM) terms of a deal negotiated with Wan Soon Construction on Fri May 25 - the company was schedule to pay $600 to each workers. [Wan Soon's insurance company will pay $400, and the contractor's directors will pay $200 for each worker.] But this did not happen.
Wan Soon Construction also agreed to remit the remaining amount 'in due course', to the workers on their return to their home country.
Wan Soon constructions' empty promises!
The 200 Indian workers at Kaki Bukit dormitory are waiting for their money. * without cash but they were forced to buy food with borrowed money
Mon 28 June 2004: Workers' Protest
The 200 Indian Migrant workers from Wan Soon Construction protest at Indian Embassy
The workers requested that Wan Soon Contruction pay the money own to them. They wantedthe Indian High Commissioner, Mr Alok Prasad to assist to claim the amount own to them about S$3,000 to S$6,000 per worker.
The workers felt cheated as Wan Soon Consturction refused to honour the agreeement with MOM to settle the amount on 25 May 2004. The amount of $600 will have at least settle the money borrow from friends to buy food.
But the Indian Embassy called the police and then the MOM officers. Why?
The Indian Embassy official did they sincerely assist their own citizens to overcome the difficulties?
For 5 months the Indian migrant workers were borrowing money for food.
Did the Indian Embassy support their own citizens? If not. Why?
The MOM officials had to calm the angry and disappointed Indian migrant workers with promises of another meeting to seetle their problems.
The Indian migrant workers leave the Indian Embassy compound at 7 pm.
Tue 29 June 2004
The Indian migrant workers will meet MOM officers at 2 pm.
The Indian migrant workers are claiming their salary. This workers may return home with negative images of Singapore. The workers felt cheated as Wan Soon Consturction refused to honour the agreeement with MOM to settle payment of 4 to 6 months of salary.
Think Centre hopes that NTUCs Migrant Workers' Forum will take immediate steps to overcome the problem in cooperation with MOM.
Think Centre expresses solidarity with the Indian migrant workers.
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Sources and Relevant Links:
Ministry of Manpower: Updates on Salary Claims of Foreign Workers Employed by Wan Soon Construction Pte Ltd 22 Jun 2004
Channelnewsasia.com
Manpower Ministry helps stranded foreign workers resolve salary dispute 22 June 2004
The workers were among 440 employed by Wan Soon Construction which owed
them their salaries after the company ran into financial problems.
Land Transport Authority:
LTA award Wan Soon Construction Pte Ltd the contract
for Bartley Station at S$63,544,328.40
Land Transport Authority - Award Of Contracts For Stage 3 Of Circle Line
LTA award Wan Soon Construction Pte Ltd the contract for the construction
and completion of Bartley Station for the price of S$63,544,328.40.
Channelnewsasia & Today: PUB says new sewage system will meet 2008 deadline despite delays 27 May 2004
The statutory board is also talking to Wan Soon Construction, which is facing about30 suits pending in court and has sacked its chief executive officer,
Singapore Mirror
WAN SOON CONSTRUCTION PTE LTD
WAN SOON CONSTRUCTION PTE LTD.
1 Jalan Kilang Timor
#08-01 Pacific Tech Centre
Singapore 159303
Tel: (65) 6255 6833
Fax: (65) 6253 5831