Singapore Post (SingPost), in consultation with the Union of Telecoms Employees of Singapore (UTES), has unveiled a $10 million "Inclusivity Fund" to help its lower-income staff cope with the rising costs of living.
Speaking at the launch on 28 February 2013 at Kallang Delivery Base, SingPost Chairman Lim Ho Kee said that the company is "especially proud of our frontline staff for the good work that they perform day-in and day-out".
He added: "We do know that theirs is a very demanding job, and as a responsible employer, we do what we can to improve their work conditions and environment." Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim graced the occasion as Guest-of-Honour.
Commenting on the collaboration, UTES General Secretary Thuvinder Singh, said: "UTES will continue to look forward to better labour-management relationship with SingPost and work towards a better future for our workers."
The SingPost Inclusivity Fund encompasses three components and will be disbursed over the next five years. The bulk or around 70 per cent of the fund will be dedicated to help the lower-waged staff cope with the rising costs of living. This would benefit some 3,400 of SingPost's employees, many of whom are frontline staff with monthly incomes ranging from $2,000 to below $4,000.
Another 20 per cent will be set aside to reward staff for upgrading their skills and competencies while the remaining 10 per cent will be channelled to bursaries, awards and scholarships for staffs' school-going children.
SingPost staff like Postman Special Grade Mohd Izam Marsuki, are grateful to have such an understanding employer: "I am so happy that our company is doing its part to help us cope with the inflation and high cost of living."
Besides the Inclusivity Fund for staff, another $30 million will be invested to improve the delivery backbone with enhancements such as the automated web booking services which can eliminate reliance on call centres. Another $60 million will also be used to upgrade the current postal infrastructure to ensure Singapore continues to enjoy good service and SingPost remains relevant in a digital economy.
