Jollibean shutters some S'pore outlets, 29 staff filed claims for unpaid salaries

Over the past year, soy milk retailer Jollibean has shuttered all but five of its Singapore outlets.

In the aftermath of the closures, several employees have claimed that they are owed months of unpaid salaries and Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions, CNA reported.

The company's director, Shahrul Nazrin Mohd Dahlan, reportedly explained that the company has a new owner.

It is working with the authorities to resolve salary issues by the end of the month, he told the media outlet.

While eight Singapore outlets are listed on Jollibean's website, three have been shuttered as of Jul. 8.

The stores at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Raffles Place MRT station were seen boarded up, while the Lavender MRT station branch had a notice on the door stating that it had been repossessed by the landlord, CNA reported.

All three are now listed as either "temporarily closed" or "permanently closed" on Google Maps.

Unpaid salaries

Several workers told reporters that they arrived at work — only to find that the stores had been closed without warning.

One woman, 68, a part-time employee at the former Pioneer MRT station branch, said when she arrived at work for her usual shift, she was told to pack up.

The outlet closed on Dec. 27, 2024. The company still reportedly owes her over S$1,000, and three months of CPF contributions.

Another woman who worked at the same store told CNA that she had approached the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) for help, at her son's advice.

The 74-year-old had worked at the store for over a decade.

"[My son] said that it's my hard-earned money, even if it's just S$1,000, why don't you get it back?"

They worked out an agreement that Jollibean would repay her in monthly instalments. But three months later, they "have not received a cent", she said.

CNA also spoke to eight current workers at Jollibean.

Some of them said that they would continue working, as they believe their salaries will be paid and the new "boss" will take over in July.

But none of them could say who this new employer was.

MOM assisting workers

In response to Mothership's queries, spokespersons from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and TADM confirmed that they are assisting 29 Jollibean employees with their claims for unpaid salaries.

The employer has signed agreements to pay 22 employees in instalments, and was ordered to make payment to three other employees.

Another four cases are pending mediation or the outcome from the Employment Claims Tribunals.

In addition, MOM is investigating the company for offences under the Employment Act.

It will, in the meantime, continue to extend help to affected employees.

"We would like to remind employers to pay salaries and CPF contributions on time to their employees," the spokespersons said.

"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 ECT for determination."

Affected employees can contact TADM for assistance here.

A spokesperson from the Food, Drinks, and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU) added that Jollibean is a non-unionised company.

Affected workers can approach TADM for advice on employment disputes, while NTUC general branch members can contact NTUC for assistance via the Workplace Advisory, the spokesperson told Mothership.

Mothership has reached out to Jollibean for comment.

Top image from Google Maps