NTUC gives out S$9.13m to help low-income members
-
SINGAPORE: The labour movement disbursed a total of S$9.13m through U Care Fund to low-income union members and families through six different assistance programmes this year.
This translates to helping over 90,000 low-income members and their families.
The assistance programmes are U Stretch vouchers, U Care Back To School vouchers, Family Recreation & Fun Carnivals, U Care Education Co-Funding scheme, and donations to NTUC Eldercare Trust and NTUC First Campus Bright Horizons Fund.
The NTUC concludes its U Care Fund efforts for the year, with a U Care Back To School Fair. The fair is being held at the Toa Payoh Central Amphitheatre (outside Toa Payoh Library) from 9-11 December.
Organised yearly to complement the Back To School voucher programme, the fair reaches out especially to low-income members with school-going children, to help lighten their expenses for the new school year through exclusive deals and special promotions on school-related merchandise offered by participating merchants.
The fair promotions are also extended to all union members.
In 2011, S$3.6 million worth of U Care Back To School vouchers were disbursed to help over 29,000 school-going children of low-income union members prepare for the new school year.
Each child received S$125 worth of Back To School vouchers, which can be used to buy school-related items from participating retail outlets and authorised suppliers at schools under the Ministry of Education. The vouchers can also be used at the Back To School Fair.
NTUC Care and Share director, Mr Zainudin Nordin, said: "This year, with concerns like rising cost of living falling on the shoulders of our workers, we have reviewed the application criteria of our assistance programmes.
"We have since increased the income ceiling so as to reach out to even more members. In total, the U Care Fund has disbursed about 53,000 voucher booklets, over 8,000 recreation packages to some 32,000 union members and their families, and supported over 6,000 students through co-funding of our unions’ bursary and scholarship programmes.
"We will continue to monitor the economic situation and be prepared to do even more when the need arises."
Mr Mohd Ali Bin Mohd Salleh, a 47-year-old taxi driver who benefited from both the U Stretch and Back To School programmes, received S$725 worth of assistance this year.
He said: "With six school-going children and as my job does not guarantee a stable income, it can get really difficult financially especially when we are looking at such a gloomy economy outlook.
"I cannot express how grateful I am receiving these vouchers by U Care Fund. They have helped tremendously especially with expenses for my children’s new school term.”
- CNA/ir -
Got $ take again ?
GOOD... XMAS comes early !!!
I am BROKE now...
-
so everyone happy its christmas
