In total, 29 workers are receiving assistance for unpaid salaries, according to a joint statement from the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management and Ministry of Manpower, provided to The Straits Times on July 12.
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A person takes a picture of a Jollibean outlet in Singapore. Photo from Facebook/JollibeanSingapore |
The statement addressed reports of unpaid salaries and delayed payments, which have occurred intermittently since December 2024.
At its peak Jollibean operated more than 30 outlets in the city state, but the store count has now plunged to five.
In response to inquiries about unpaid salaries for his workers, Jollibean Foods director Shahrul Nazrin Mohd Dahlan informed Channel News Asia that the company, now under new ownership, is collaborating with authorities to settle salary issues by the end of the month.
Shahrul Nazrin, still recorded as the company’s director in public business records, explained that the closure of an outlet was part of a downsizing effort, but he did not provide reasons for the company’s failure to pay its workers on time.
A counter staff member told The Straits Times that her wages for May and June remained unpaid, and her December 2024 salary was delayed by approximately three weeks.
The woman, in her late 40s, said she relied on her savings for rent and personal expenses, noting that other front-line staff were also awaiting their salaries.
“There was no forewarning. It would have been reassuring if the management had at least warned us that the company was struggling but hopes to turn things around under new owners,” she said, as cited by The Straits Times.
The Ministry of Manpower is investigating Jollibean for offenses under the Employment Act and will continue helping affected employees.
Established in Singapore in 1995, Jollibean gained popularity for its signature soya milk and traditional pancake snack, offered through kiosks in high-traffic locations such as shopping malls and MRT stations.
In 2012, Malaysia’s F&B operator Berjaya Food acquired Jollibean Foods for SGD7.5 million (US$5.86 million) in cash.
Jollibean’s brand popularity declined during the Covid-19 pandemic, as outlined in Berjaya Food’s annual report. It continued to struggle after the pandemic was over.
The company cited weakened consumer sentiment, lower foot traffic in the Central Business District due to flexible work arrangements, rising living costs, and an uncertain economic outlook as the biggest challenges.
