Two Singaporeans charged over unauthorised public assemblies involving migrant workers

Two Singaporeans have been charged for their alleged roles in staging unauthorised public assemblies involving foreign workers at two construction sites in October 2024.

On 27 May 2025, the courts heard that Rebecca Rubini Ravinthiran, 33, and Vee Derrick Mahendran, 36, face multiple charges under the Public Order Act and the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).

According to a joint press release by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) issued on 26 May, Ravinthiran allegedly directed 15 foreign workers to gather at two separate locations on 24 October 2024.

Details of alleged assemblies

The workers were reportedly instructed to hold placards demanding payment for services said to be owed to their employer, Apex Engineering.

Ravinthiran faces a total of 17 charges, comprising two under the Public Order Act and 15 under the EFMA.

The first alleged illegal assembly occurred at Block 324A Tengah Garden Walk, Parc Flora @ Tengah, where no fewer than nine workers were directed to gather with placards.

Later that morning, around 11am, another gathering took place at 91A Jalan Satu, Dakota Breeze, where at least six other workers assembled.

Both assemblies were allegedly conducted without police permits, which are required under Singapore law for any public demonstration.

Specific charges faced by Ravinthiran

Under the EFMA, Ravinthiran is accused of instigating 15 foreign workers to breach their work permit conditions by participating in unauthorised assemblies.

She also faces additional charges for directing two of these workers to prepare and distribute placards and coordinate participation among others.

Allegations against Mahendran

Mahendran, identified as a co-accused, faces 11 charges — two under the Public Order Act and nine under the EFMA.

He is alleged to have played a supporting role by preparing placards the day before the gatherings and liaising with Ravinthiran to ensure worker participation.

At the Tengah site, Mahendran allegedly supervised the attendance of at least nine workers, updated Ravinthiran about their participation, and conveyed her instructions to them.

His EFMA charges stem from allegedly aiding nine workers in breaching their work pass conditions by being involved in the unauthorised events.

Both accused are scheduled to return to court on 24 June 2025.

Public attention in October 2024

Public awareness of the incident first emerged in October 2024, when images circulated online showing migrant workers holding placards at a Geylang construction site.

The placards carried messages such as “outstanding amount” and references to unpaid sums.

The photos, shared initially on Reddit by a passer-by, led to speculation of wage disputes among migrant workers.

Following the circulation, MOM issued a statement via Facebook clarifying that investigations found the workers were not owed wages and had not raised concerns regarding their salaries or well-being.

Official responses

Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam later confirmed that MOM was investigating whether the employer had illegally deployed the workers and abetted them in contravening the EFMA.

Authorities stressed that while workers may raise legitimate concerns about employment issues, they must do so through official channels, not by participating in unauthorised assemblies.

Legal framework and penalties

The Public Order Act stipulates that any public assembly in Singapore requires a police permit.

Anyone convicted of organising an unauthorised assembly may face a fine of up to S$5,000.

Under the EFMA, abetting a foreign worker to breach work pass conditions is punishable by up to 12 months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.

Wider context of wage-related disputes

While MOM confirmed that no salary issues existed in this case, past incidents involving delayed or withheld wages have been recorded.

On 18 October 2022, workers at NCS Hub in Ang Mo Kio held placards demanding salaries allegedly owed by their employer, Shanghai Chong Kee.

In that case, MOM and the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) intervened, and full payments were eventually secured for the affected workers.

Advisory to workers

Authorities continue to advise foreign workers facing salary or employment-related issues to seek assistance through MOM’s hotline at 6438 5122 or approach TADM.

Such mechanisms, officials stress, provide legal avenues for workers to resolve disputes without resorting to unlawful actions.

Next steps

The cases against Ravinthiran and Mahendran will proceed when they next appear in court on 24 June 2025.

If convicted, both face the possibility of fines and imprisonment under the respective statutes.

In that case, MOM and the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) intervened, and full payments were eventually secured for the affected workers.