Singapore to hold job-matching session for True Fitness and True Yoga workers
In Singapore, the Singapore Manual & Mercantile Workers’ Union (SMMWU) announced a job-matching session for former employees of the True Fitness and True Yoga chains, which abruptly ceased operations. The event is scheduled for Thursday; participants will be offered help finding vacancies as well as consultations on employment matters, Channel NewsAsia reports.
Support for workers
The session is being organised by the Employment and Employability Institute of Singapore’s National Trades Union Congress (e2i), the National Instructors and Coaches Association (NICA), and SMMWU. True Fitness and True Yoga are not unionised companies, but some of the affected workers are SMMWU members.
Singapore citizens and permanent residents affected by the closure can also approach e2i for job-matching services, career counselling and advice on skills upgrading. Those who meet the conditions of the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support programme may receive temporary financial assistance of up to S$6,000 over six months in the event of involuntary unemployment. SMMWU members who need training can use the UTAP course fee reimbursement programme.
Closure of the chains
SMMWU Secretary-General Andy Lim called on the companies to cooperate with the union in order to support its members and ensure they have access to the necessary assistance. At the time of the union’s statement, the companies that operated True Fitness and True Yoga were undergoing liquidation proceedings. A day before the chains closed, they were placed under provisional liquidation and insolvency practitioners were appointed as provisional liquidators.
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The closure of the chains on September 11 came as a surprise to staff and customers. More than 50 employees gathered at the group’s headquarters to seek an explanation, while customers visited the facilities to confirm the closure information.
The Singapore Fitness Alliance said that about 230 True Group employees and freelancers had contacted the non-profit organisation. The association is helping affected workers find new jobs.
According to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), the organisation received 241 complaints from customers affected by the closure. Their total claimed losses exceeded S$609,000, or about US$479,950. True Group operates 10 fitness centres in Singapore under the True Fitness, TFX and Yoga Edition brands.
