Twelve Cupcakes closure hit locals too, with 45% affected; Singaporean worker calls lack of notice unfair

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean worker formerly employed by Twelve Cupcakes has spoken out about the abrupt closure of the chain, describing the lack of notice as “unfair” and highlighting the impact on both local and migrant colleagues.

The chain abruptly ceased operations and entered provisional liquidation on 29 October, leaving about 80 workers jobless without prior warning. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sudden closure.

According to Workers Make Possible, 45 per cent of those affected are local workers.

In an interview with the group uploaded on Tuesday (25 Nov), the former counter staff member recounted how the liquidator arrived at her outlet just 30 minutes before closing, giving workers no opportunity to prepare.

“We do our best for the company, in the end this is what we get. I think it’s not fair,” she said.

She added that the liquidator arrived at her store at 9.15pm, with the shop scheduled to close at 9.45pm. “No ample notice or whatsoever,” she said.

“Not only I’m affected, the rest of my colleagues are affected also, especially our foreign colleagues,” she added, noting that migrant staff have families to support back home while also managing rental costs and mounting bills in Singapore.

“We as Singaporeans should stand up and help them, and help ourselves,” she added.

Fundraiser Benefits Both Migrant and Local Workers

Responding to questions on whether an ongoing fundraiser was meant only for migrant workers, she clarified that the campaign supports all affected employees, including locals.

“No, they are helping everybody. Not only the foreign workers — the locals like me also. I have bills to pay too,” she said.

She added that she would be devastated if she were working in a foreign country and faced a similar situation, and expressed gratitude for the public’s support, saying every cent contributed made a meaningful difference.

In its video caption, Workers Make Possible urged the public to support all staff affected by the sudden closure, writing: “Migrant or local — does it matter? These are our fellow workers and we should support them.”

The group also noted that it is currently assessing the outcome of the liquidator’s meeting, where the owed salaries were discussed.

As of 26 November, the fundraiser had collected more than S$24,200.

The campaign aims to raise S$80,000 to provide around S$1,000 per worker — an amount intended to cover a month’s rent and basic living costs for the approximately 80 staff members left stranded by the closure.

@workersmakepossible Let’s set the record straight: the Twelve Cupcakes workers fighting for their rights are not “all migrants”. 45% are from Singapore #singapore #sg #twelvecupcakes ♬ original sound  - Workers Make Possible

Twelve Cupcakes Owes Over S$1 Million to Creditors

Close to 100 creditors are owed slightly over S$1 million by Twelve Cupcakes, according to AAG Corporate Advisory, one of the appointed liquidators, on 25 November.

This amount excludes unpaid wages owed to about 80 former staff.

The company formally entered full liquidation on 24 November, the liquidator confirmed to The Straits Times (ST). Although no committee of inspection was appointed during the meeting, volunteers are expected to step forward.

The largest debt is owed to Tee Yih Jia Food Manufacturing at about S$196,000.

Other creditors include baking supplies provider Phoon Huat, market expansion services firm DKSH Singapore and packaging company Skypac Packaging, ST reported.

AAG Corporate Advisory held a virtual meeting on 24 November to update creditors on the company’s financial position, including the statement of affairs and the total claims lodged.

October Salaries Expected Only in 2026

Subject to asset recovery, liquidators hope to distribute the outstanding October salaries to affected employees sometime in the first quarter of 2026. No specific date has been given.

The liquidator noted that the recovery process includes advertising and calling for claims, which takes around two months.

More than 70 participants joined the virtual meeting, including several former employees who attended the session from the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU) office in River Valley, ST reported.

FDAWU general secretary Sankaradass S. Chami said the union had supported affected members by facilitating access to the meeting and ensuring their concerns were represented.

“For members unable to join the online session on their own, the union will be hosting them at its office, and will also represent those who have formally authorised the union to act on their behalf,” he said, adding that the union would continue to monitor developments and provide assistance where needed.