Singapore-based True Yoga Fitness has suspended operations at six of its outlets in Taipei, New Taipei City and Taoyuan without prior notice, prompting local governments to investigate potential consumer rights contraventions.
The closures were due to internal operational adjustments and staffing changes, the company said on Facebook on Tuesday.
It apologized for the inconvenience and said that members would soon be provided with compensation details.
Photo: Screen grab from the True Yoga Fitness Web site
The suspension of operations follows the June closure of a separate branch in Taipei after its rental contract expired.
A member of the outlet in New Taipei City's Sijhih District (汐止) surnamed Chen (陳) said that she learned of the closures only when she opened the company's app on Wednesday.
Chen said that she had paid more than NT$40,000 for a three-year membership, but had only been a member for about one year, and is concerned that she might not receive a refund.
Fitness centers must give customers at least 24 hours notice before suspending operations, Taipei consumer ombudsman Yeh Chia-hao (葉家豪) said.
If the closure is the fault of the business owner, customers have the right to cancel their contracts, receive refunds for unused services and claim compensation, Yeh said.
As of Wednesday, Taipei had received 128 complaints against True Yoga, while New Taipei City and Taoyuan had received 22 and 13 respectively. All three governments said they would launch investigations.
Separately, Department of Labor section chief Hung San-kai (洪三凱) said that the agency would also be investigating True Yoga after employees filed complaints alleging delayed salary payments.
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