MOM, TADM reveal events that led to worker's repatriation despite suffering unauthorised salary deductions
Authorities in Singapore have slammed as "misleading" the claims from a migrant worker advocacy group over the treatment of a Bangladeshi construction worker.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) said recent posts by the group Workers Make Possible (WMP) about 22‑year‑old worker Ali Md Kawsar contained "factual inaccuracies" about his dispute with former employer Buildwerkz Builders and the handling of his case by officials.
"As Workers Make Possible did not verify the accuracy of their information… the content in their posts is misleading and undermines the MOM and TADM's efforts to provide migrant workers with timely interventions and support," spokespersons from MOM and the TADM said in a joint statement.
MOM's intervention followed a TikTok clip, shared by WMP and later removed, in which Ali claimed he had been fined S$200 and sent back to Bangladesh after being accused of sleeping on the job.
He said his life would be "completely ruined" by the alleged repatriation, AsiaOne reported.
MOM clarifies events
According to the authorities' joint statement, Ali first approached MOM in December 2024 over alleged salary arrears and unauthorised deductions.
He was advised to seek settlement with his employer and returned on January 2, 2025, to file a formal salary claim with TADM.
At that point, he was issued a Special Pass allowing him to remain in Singapore while the case proceeded, as well as a Change of Employer letter that would have enabled him to look for another job.
After three unsuccessful mediation sessions, the dispute was referred to the Employment Claims Tribunals, which ruled in Ali's favour. He received his full outstanding salary in September 2025, and MOM said enforcement action was taken against the company for making unauthorised salary deductions without written consent.
The authorities also addressed allegations about his living conditions, noting that when Ali raised concerns about the quality of food provided, MOM engaged both his employer and the caterer and said that "improvements were made," after which there was no further feedback from him on the issue.
However, authorities pointed out that Ali himself had breached employment rules.
"Despite having the opportunity to seek legal employment while pursuing his claims in Singapore, Mr Kawsar worked illegally from February to July 2025," they said.
"The matter was brought to MOM's attention, and we investigated Mr Kawsar for illegal employment."
He was permitted to take a six‑month job under the Temporary Job Scheme in October 2025 while under investigation. Enforcement action for illegal employment was taken against him in February 2026, but he was allowed to complete that contract in March.
"MOM takes all complaints from workers seriously and will investigate breaches of employment laws where there is evidence of wrongdoing," the ministry said.
"Similarly, we take a firm stance on illegal employment practices. Work pass holders who engaged in illegal employment will have their work passes revoked and will be prohibited from seeking employment in Singapore."
