2 S'poreans charged for getting foreign workers to hold placards in protest at construction site

Two people were charged on May 27 for allegedly organising and abetting public assemblies involving foreign workers without a permit in October 2024.

They were also charged for abetting foreign workers to commit offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 (EFMA).

Rebecca Rubini Ravinthiran, 33, and Vee Derrick Mahendran, 36, both Singaporeans, face a total of 17 charges and 11 charges respectively, reported CNA.

Allegedly organised public assembly

Ravinthiran faces two charges under the Public Order Act and 15 under the EFMA.

She allegedly organised two public assemblies on Oct. 24, 2024, to demand outstanding payment owed to Apex Engineering.

At around 11 am, she allegedly organised an assembly at a construction site located at Jalan Satu. She apparently directed six Apex workers to gather and hold four placards related to the demanding of payment.

She also allegedly instructed nine Apex workers to gather at a construction site along Tengah Garden Walk and hold placards.

No police permit had been granted for the assembly.

This event was also conducted without a permit.

Instructed workers to join assemblies

According to CNA, each of her charges under EFMA states that she instigated a foreign worker to breach the condition of their work permit.

A total of 15 workers were involved, and she is said to have facilitated the contravention by instructing them to be involved in participating in a public assembly at either work site.

CNA further reports that for two of these workers, she is alleged to have directed them to prepare and distribute placards and coordinate with other participants.

Abetting in organising illegal assemblies

Mahendran, meanwhile, faces two charges under the Public Order Act and nine under the EFMA.

He is accused of abetting Ravinthiran in organising both illegal assemblies.

He allegedly abetted the offence by going to the Tengah Garden Walk construction site to ensure that the foreign workers complied with Ravinthiran's instructions.

He also allegedly supervised nine foreign workers during their participation in the illegal gatherings, thereby violating the terms of their work passes.

According to the Straits Times, he also allegedly updated Ravinthiran on the situation and relayed her instructions to the workers.

Both cases are scheduled to return to court on Jun. 24.

Spotted on social media

A group of migrant workers were spotted holding up placards outside a construction site in Geylang on Oct. 24.

In a photo taken by a passerby and uploaded onto Reddit, at least four workers were seen holding placards.

The poster said the signs indicated that the workers were owed money.

One of the cardboard placards had the words "outstanding amount" and another appeared to state an amount of money.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) later released a statement on Oct. 25, 2024, saying that they were aware of a social media post relating to the incident.

MOM then engaged the migrant workers involved.

According to the ministry, the workers said that they were not owed salary payments and did not report any well-being concerns.

Responding to Mothership's queries then, the police confirmed that a report had been made and investigations were underway.

According to the latest joint statement by MOM and the police, investigations into the 15 foreign workers for their involvement have concluded and no further action will be taken against them as the Police had ascertained that they were acting under the instructions of their employer and had no intention of breaking the law.

Top photos via Reddit