Furniture firm ordered to pay Stomper $8,071 in owed salary but defaults, MOM investigating
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating after a furniture company defaulted in making tribunal-ordered payments to seven employees for salaries they are owed.
Stomper EC is one of the employees.
VL Italia Group, also known as Vivere Lusso, was ordered by the Employment Claims Tribunals on Aug 12 to pay the Stomper $8,070.80, half on Sept 15 and the remaining half on Sept 30.
"Despite the Tribunal Order under the Employment Act requiring them to pay my salary via an installment schedule, they have failed to comply," said the Stomper, who joined the company in January.
"I was employed by VL Italia Group to recruit investors for their franchise business," he explained.
"I personally handled seven investors, generating a total of $70,000 with each investor contributing $10,000 for the franchise. Despite fulfilling my role, the company failed to pay my earned salary. "
EC quit in May after not getting his salary.
"Given this situation, I am concerned about the security of funds invested by others under similar arrangements," said the Stomper.
"In fact, one of my investors has already filed a case with the Small Claims Tribunal against VL Italia Group with the hearing scheduled for Oct 14."
The company was also ordered by the Employment Claims Tribunals to pay $6,000 to Stomper AP, a staff member from March to May. She hasn't been paid since April.
"They repeatedly delayed paying my salary even with the court order," said AP.
"What is especially concerning is that the company continues to post job advertisements and expand under different business names, even though they have not resolved outstanding salary issues.
"I strongly urge the public to be cautious when dealing with this company, whether applying for jobs or considering business partnerships."
Stomper Anonymous, another employee, claimed he had never received his full salary or Central Provident Fund contribution since he was hired.
"Upon resignation, the company refused to make any payment despite already issuing a copy of final salary settlement," said Anonymous.
"My other colleagues who were before me in this process got their payment arrangement defaulted and ghosted despite receiving court orders."
Anonymous added that his wife also invested $10,000 in the company.
Stomper PT said he is a victim as well.
"I found the job vacancy on MyCareersFuture on April 2 and went for the interview on April 4," he recounted.
"Everything seemed straightforward and I officially started work on April 7 under a one-month contract agreement.
"I completed the full duration of the contract, carrying out my responsibilities as expected. However, when the contract ended, the company failed to make any payment. I followed up, but they stopped responding completely - no explanation, no update, nothing.
"Left with no choice, I lodged a report with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM). The case eventually went to a court hearing, and a court order was issued for the company to pay me. Despite this, the company has continued to ignore the order and has not made any payment to date."
PT lamented: "It's extremely disheartening to have committed my time and effort in good faith, only to be ignored and left unpaid.
"I've done everything by the book - worked honestly, sought help through the right channels, and even received a court ruling in my favour - but I'm still waiting for what I'm rightfully owed."
He added: "I hope no one will ever get to work for them."
In response to a Stomp query, MOM and TADM spokespersons said in a joint statement that MOM and TADM have assisted nine employees from VL Italia Group on their claims for unpaid salaries.
"The company has signed agreements with two of the affected employees to make payments in instalments," said the spokespersons.
"The Employment Claims Tribunals has ordered payment for seven employees. However, the company has defaulted in making payments.
"TADM is advising the employees on the options available to them to enforce the salary payments due to them.
"MOM is investigating the company for possible offences under the Employment Act."
The spokespersons added: "We would like to remind employers on their obligations to pay their employees' salaries accurately and on time.
"Employees in Singapore who are not paid salaries on time can file their claims with TADM, which will assist workers in recovering their salaries either through mediation or referring the case to the Employment Claims Tribunals for determination."
Employees who require assistance can contact TADM at tal.sg/tadm/contact-us.
