They were retrenched. Now they are among ground-up groups helping others find their footing
Former employees of Twelve Cupcakes and Providore started helping one another navigate next steps.
In Singapore, former bartender Kyle Ahmad lost his job in 2023 when his company suddenly closed. He sought help from the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management but still had to navigate the process of retrieving his owed overtime pay. Inspired by his experience, Kyle founded Makan Minum Workers (MMW) in 2023, a ground-up group that assists food and beverage workers with their rights and advocacy.
MMW operates without a physical office, welcoming workers of any citizenship for free. The group has over 20 members who share experiences and offer advice to fellow retrenched employees. When MMW saw that Twelve Cupcakes workers borrowed money from moneylenders and loan sharks, they directed the affected workers to Blessed Grace Social Services, which helped them negotiate a repayment plan with their creditors.
Similarly, when cafe chain Providore unexpectedly closed, MMW member Nee, who had previously faced Providore's closure, received MMW's support and now helps other retrenched workers find employment. MMW collaborates with other organizations like Workers Make Possible and Migrant Workers Singapore to raise awareness and help workers navigate the system.
Migrant Workers Singapore, founded in 2018 by Bangladeshi Ripon Chowdhury, aims to socially integrate migrant workers into the local community and amplify their concerns.
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