An Indian man, who ran several companies in Singapore, has been declared bankrupt after he failed to pay wages to more than 400 migrant workers, according to PTI.
A bankruptcy order against Ramu Palani Velu was made on August 13, The Straits Times reported on Thursday. Ramu holds Singapore permanent residency and served as director of seven local firms offering air-conditioning, plumbing and building services. These include KPA Engineering, SK Industries and VVR Plant Engineering.
In total, 407 workers, including several Indian nationals, filed claims for unpaid wages. Some of the workers say they had not been paid for more than two months.
The first signs of trouble came in 2025, when five workers from KPA Engineering separately raised complaints with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management over unpaid salaries. Those cases were settled within a week after the employer paid their dues.
But the problem resurfaced in May and June this year, when four more KPA Engineering employees filed fresh claims for unpaid wages. While these cases were still under review, more than 100 workers showed up at the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) office in Bendemeer on June 22, seeking help.
By that point, MOM officials were already looking into the wage complaints, having spoken with KPA Engineering staff who had been hit with a dormitory eviction notice issued on June 8. Authorities say they had tried reaching the company’s directors even before the large group of workers arrived at the MOM office.
As the unpaid wages issue drew public attention, it came to light that Ramu had been out of the country at the time. He returned to Singapore on June 26 and has since been cooperating with MOM’s investigation.
Records from the Ministry of Law’s Insolvency Office show that Ramu filed for bankruptcy on July 9.
Under Singapore law, employers who fail to pay salaries can face fines ranging from USD 3,000 to USD 15,000 per offence, along with a possible jail term of up to six months, the report said.
The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More
