SINGAPORE, Nov 1 — The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) here is investigating Twelve Cupcakes for non-payment of salaries and other possible breaches after the bakery chain abruptly dismissed about 80 employees on Oct 29.
In a joint statement with the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board yesterday, MOM said it will take enforcement action and impose penalties if necessary, The Straits Times reported.
The CPF Board will file a claim with the liquidator, AAG Corporate Advisory, to recover outstanding CPF contributions for September and October.
Authorities said the company, which is unionised under the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU), had closed without prior notice to the union or its employees, calling the move irresponsible and not aligned with the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment.
MOM said its priority is to help the affected workers secure new employment through the Taskforce for Responsible Retrenchment and Employment Facilitation, which includes MOM, Workforce Singapore, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute.
The taskforce is working with Twelve Cupcakes and FDAWU to provide job-matching support, career coaching, and assistance through the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management for those filing salary or employment claims.
About 15 former employees visited the MOM Services Centre on Oct 31 to ask about unpaid wages, while some workers also reported missing CPF contributions for October, according to The Business Times.
Some affected staff are reportedly launching a Give.Asia campaign to raise S$100,000 (RM320,000) to help cover rent, food and basic expenses as they await updates from the liquidator.
