Singapore  - Two Singapore non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have called for adequate compensation for foreign workers, a growing number of whom are being left with unpaid wages or without jobs, proper accommodation and meals, news reports said Friday.

NGO Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) said some 800 workers, who had no access to work since they were brought into Singapore, were abandoned by their employers and had not been paid their due salaries, according to a report by the Channel News Asia.

The Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME) said its officials have met some 300 foreign workers at shipyards who were complaining of poor housing, lack of food and neglect by their employers.

Calling for stiffer penalties on errant employers who fail to pay wages on time to their foreign workers, the two NGOs said the workers should be compensated for the remaining validity period of their work permits, including the full wages due to them.

Meanwhile, the Migrant Workers' Forum (MWF) at the government-backed National Trades Union Congress has assured that steps would be taken over the next few months to improve the lot of foreign workers, including helping them understanding their rights.

Recession-hit Singapore sees an increasing number of idle foreign workers. Still, the government has acknowledged the important role played by foreign workers in labour-intensive construction and service sectors. (dpa)