Two Singaporeans of Indian-origin have been charged in court in connection with illegal public assemblies involving foreign workers that took place in October last year.
The two individuals, identified as Rebecca Rubini Ravinthiran, 33, and Vee Derrick Mahendran, 36, were charged on Tuesday, May 27, for their alleged roles in organising the gatherings without a permit and encouraging foreign workers to take part in them.
Ravinthiran is accused of instructing 15 workers under her company, Apex Engineering, to gather at two construction sites and hold placards demanding payment owed to the company.
The first incident reportedly occurred at a site at Block 324A Tengah Garden Walk, Parc Flora @ Tengah, and the second at 91A Jalan Satu, Dakota Breeze. The authorities stated that no permits had been granted for either event held on October 24, 2024.
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She faces a total of 17 charges, including two under the Public Order Act for organising illegal public assemblies, and 15 under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).
The EFMA charges allege that she instigated the foreign workers to breach the conditions of their work permits by taking part in the protests. In two specific cases, she allegedly instructed workers to prepare placards and coordinate the participation of other workers.
Mahendran faces 11 charges, including two under the Public Order Act and nine under the EFMA. He is said to have aided Ravinthiran by assisting in the preparation of placards, coordinating the gatherings, and ensuring the workers complied with her instructions at the construction sites.
He allegedly supervised the workers during the assemblies and communicated updates and instructions between Ravinthiran and the workers.
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The Ministry of Manpower and the police had previously issued a joint statement in response to a social media post showing migrant workers holding placards.
The authorities clarified that the workers were not owed salaries and did not have any issues regarding their well-being. Investigations revealed that the assemblies were organised by the employer without proper authorisation.
Both cases are scheduled to return to court on 24 June. If convicted of organising a public assembly without a permit, an individual can be fined up to SGD 5,000. Under the EFMA, abetting a foreign employee to violate the conditions of a work pass can lead to up to 12 months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to SGD 10,000, or both.
