Singapore fitness industry workers and freelancers affected by the sudden closure of True Fitness and True Yoga are receiving employment assistance from the Singapore Fitness Alliance (SFA), following the winding up of the chains by Hong Kong parent company Kontafarma due to cost pressures and market competition.
SFA, NICA, and e2i Launch Job Support for Displaced Workers
The Singapore Fitness Alliance is spearheading an initiative to help affected True Group employees and freelancers find new employment. According to SFA president and co-founder Sean Tan, the non-profit industry association is running the program in collaboration with the National Instructors & Coaches Association (NICA)—an initiative set up by the National Trades Union Congress—and e2i, NTUC’s employment and employability institute.
Despite the job placement efforts, the SFA will not assist with recovering unpaid salaries or commissions, Tan stated. The intervention comes after True Fitness and True Yoga abruptly ceased operations on Sept 11, shutting down their outlets under the True Singapore Group, which also operates TFX and Yoga Edition brands locally across a total of seven outlets.
Did you know? True Fitness and True Yoga operated seven total outlets in Singapore across their various brand portfolios, including TFX and Yoga Edition, before ceasing all operations abruptly in September.
Consumers Log Over $609,000 in Losses After Midnight Notice
Staff members learned of the closure through an email sent at approximately 10.30pm on Sept 10, giving them just one hour before the official shutdown. The HR department’s email, reviewed by The Straits Times, stated that all outlets would close effective immediately and remain closed on Sept 11.
The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) reported receiving 241 consumer complaints by 6pm on Sept 11. Reported losses exceeded $609,000 covering unutilised memberships, packages, and services.
Liquidators Meeting Reveals Unpaid Wages and Visa Hurdles
Dozens of former employees attended a liquidators’ meeting on Claymore Hill on Sept 11 to sign termination forms. Personal trainer Mani Jr, 28, told The Straits Times that management had recently discussed upgrading existing branches, making the sudden closure entirely unexpected. Exercise instructor Calvin Siew, 43, noted that staff were informed they must wait for updates regarding their September pay.
Mani Jr pointed out that some colleagues face the prospect of leaving Singapore within seven to 30 days. Under Ministry of Manpower (MOM) regulations, employers must cancel a foreign worker’s pass within one week of their last day of employment, after which MOM issues a temporary pass, such as a Short-Term Visit Pass, to allow time for packing or job hunting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is helping displaced True Group employees?
The Singapore Fitness Alliance (SFA) is collaborating with NICA and e2i to help affected employees and freelancers secure new jobs.
Will the SFA help recover unpaid wages?
No. SFA president Sean Tan confirmed the non-profit organisation will not be involved in recovering unpaid salaries or commissions.
How much did consumers lose in unutilised packages?
According to CASE, reported consumer losses exceeded $609,000 across 241 complaints as of Sept 11.
What happens to foreign fitness instructors who lost their jobs?
Employers must cancel foreign work passes within one week of employment termination under MOM rules, after which a temporary pass is issued for departure or re-employment preparations.
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