Union tapped to provide support for affected workers
Four more outlets of Crystal Jade have been shuttered in Singapore, according to reports, ahead of a proposed sale of the restaurant group.
The affected outlets include three Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao restaurants at Bugis Junction, Toa Payoh, and i12 Katong, as well as Crystal Jade GO at Oasis Terraces in Punggol, The Straits Times reported.
About 120 employees in the affected restaurants and certain corporate functions were impacted by the closures, according to advisory firm Kroll, whose representatives are the appointed receivers over the holding companies of Crystal Jade's Singapore and Hong Kong operations.
Kroll said affected employees will receive their salaries up to their final day of employment, while restaurant staff will continue to serve their applicable notice periods and will be compensated according to their employment contracts.
Union tapped for support
Affected employees will also receive support from the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU), according to Kroll.
The FDAWU said it is "heartened" that it was approached to support affected union members and workers of Crystal Jade.
"We know this will be a difficult and uncertain time for affected members, workers and their families," said FDAWU general secretary Sankaradass S. Chami, as quoted by The Straits Times.
"Our focus is to ensure that members and workers are treated fairly, kept informed and received the support they need and do not have to navigate this period of uncertainty alone."
The FDAWU is working with the National Trades Union Congress' (NTUC) Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and employer partners to provide affected employees with new job opportunities, according to The Straits Times' report.
The latest closures at Crystal Jade leave the restaurant group with nine operating outlets and a workforce of about 210 in Singapore.
Kroll said the closures were aimed at "positioning the business for a proposed sale and supporting its long-term future. It added that it is no longer anticipating further outlet closures in the country.
