The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Thursday that it conducted about 300 inspections and took action against 428 employers for housing violations who were either warned, offered composition or charged in court, in the first four months of this year.

Last year, the ministry conducted 865 housing inspections and dealt with 1,062 employers for housing their workers in unacceptable conditions. The Ministry highlighted a case that was before the courts on Tuesday, when five companies were fined a total of $80,000 for accommodation and salary offences,

Soon Aik Marine Engineering, Soon Aik Offshore, Soon Aik Shipbuilding, Yong Soon Shipbuilding and Yong Soon Marine Engineering will also be barred from hiring new foreign workers or renewing the work passes of existing workers after being found guilty of failing to provide acceptable accommodation for their foreign workers.

They were also convicted of failing to update their workers' addresses in the Online Foreign Worker Address System (OFWAS), as well as failing to pay their salaries on time.

The five firms pleaded guilty to 44 charges collectively for the housing, OFWAS and salary offences, and were fined a total of $80,000. Some 174 other charges were taken into consideration for sentencing.

Workers who are housed in unacceptable accommodation or have salary issues can contact the ministry's Labour Relations & Workplaces Division by calling 6438 5122 or emailing mom_at lrwd@mom.gov.sg.

Members of the public who have information can also alert the ministry by providing specific details such as the address, number of workers, brief description of the living conditions, and where possible, take photos, and email the details to mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg.

All information will be kept strictly confidential.