An Affiliate of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC)
On 29 October 2025, the bakery chain Twelve Cupcakes suddenly announced that it had been placed under provisional liquidation and ceased operations with immediate effect. This closure came without advance notice to its workers or the union, even though Twelve Cupcakes was a unionised company under FDAWU. On that day, about 80 employees — from supervisors and office personnel, to kitchen workers and rank-and-file staff — were affected.
The suddenly closure of Twelve Cupcakes was not just a small, routine business event. It was a major labour and social issue, because workers found themselves with unpaid salaries, unsettled overtime and public-holiday pay; and for those on S-Pass or Work Permit, a very short window to secure new employment. These developments have caused considerable financial stress and uncertainty to those involved.
Source: Twelve Cupcakes Facebook page
How we stepped in
In response to the news, FDAWU and NTUC convened two union meetings on 4 November 2025 at the FDAWU Tower for all of the affected people. In these meetings, we provided walkthroughs of the liquidation process that Twelve Cupcakes would be going through, which would enable it to pay off its debts to affected workers.
In order to ensure that affected workers got paid for their fair share for work, we provided guidance to workers on how they could go about applying for salary claims. At the same time, we also engaged with the appointed liquidator (AAG Corporate Advisory) to urge them to treat all staff claims as preferential claims. By taking this two-pronged approach, we hope that this will minimise the financial impact of this event on those involved.
To those urgently needing to secure another place of employment, we provided job-matching assistance, and shared a list of approximately 25 companies hiring in F&B, retail and hospitality sectors. To expedite the job-seeking process for workers, recruiters from major brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Tee Yih Jia and Paris Baguette were invited to attend the meetings to directly interview willing candidates.
For immediate relief, affected union members received S$150 to S$250 to help cover basic necessities during this difficult period. To ensure comprehensive support, we are coordinating with government agencies, such as the Ministry of Manpower and the CPF Board, to track unpaid salaries, outstanding contributions, and potential breaches of the Employment Act.
Next steps for an affected worker
As an affected worker preparing for your next employment opportunity, we urge you to make fruitful use of your time to upskill yourself and improve your employability.
At FDAWU, we place a strong emphasis on skills development as part of our mission to support every worker’s long-term growth. Workers can approach us, NTUC, or e2i for information on subsidised training courses on food-handling safety, customer service, delivery logistics, and hospitality front-desk operations. These programmes can help you expand your skill sets, stay competitive, and open doors to new opportunities within the food and hospitality industry.
Given the increasingly competitive nature of the F&B industry, business closures are becoming more and more common, with more than 60% of businesses closing within 5 years. In such uncertain times, it is more important than ever for workers to have strong support and a proper representation. Joining FDAWU ensures that you are not navigating these challenges alone, as we advocate for your fair treatment and safeguard your interests.