Caring for U where help is needed most – Transport, Utility, Education
1 In view of this year’s economic situation, the Labour Movement will distribute $5 million worth of Back to School vouchers and $3 million worth of Transport or Utility vouchers to eligible union members to help them tide through difficult times . Eligible members can apply for two types of vouchers –
A) $125 Labour Movement Back to School voucher (per school-going child)
B) $40 Public Transport OR $40 Utility voucher (per family)
Labour Movement Back to School Voucher (per school-going child)
2 To reach out to more children of lower-income members, the Labour Movement has done three things:
i) Doubled its funding from $2.5 million (in 2007) to $5 million (in 2008) for the Back to School programme
ii) Increased the voucher quantum by 25%, from $100 to $125 per child.
iii) Removed the limitation of vouchers to 3 children per family. Each eligible member may now apply for every school-going child he/she has in the family. i.e. An eligible family of six school-going children can now apply for all six children (potentially getting $125X6 = $750 of assistance).
3 The Back to School vouchers can be used to purchase textbooks, shoes, uniforms and other school-related items from bookshops and authorised suppliers at 362 Government and Government-Aided retail outlets, members can also use their vouchers at the Back to School Fair happening on the weekend of 6-7 December 2008 at three locations: Hougang Mall, Jurong East and Toa Payoh Central. The vouchers will be valid till 31 January 2009. Please see Appendix A for further details.
4 In conjunction with the Back to School Fair, NTUC FairPrice will also be organising its yearly Used Textbooks Project, where financially-stretched families are provided with free used textbooks donated by the public. The donations for used textbooks will start from 12-30 November 2008 at all NTUC FairPrice supermarket and hypermarket check-out counters.
$40 Public Transport OR $40 Utility voucher (per family)
5 In light of the recent spikes in transport and utility charges, the Labour Movement has also decided to expand its U Stretch Programme to include the distribution of the Public Transport and Utility vouchers. For the very first time, members now have the flexibility to choose the more relevant subsidy (either the Public Transport or Utility voucher) for their household needs. While the $40 Public Transport voucher can be redeemed at TransitLink offices to purchase or top-up EZ-Link cards, the $40 Utility voucher allows members to offset their utility bills with the Singapore Power Services. The vouchers will be valid till 31 March 2009.
6 President of Chemical Industries Employees’ Union, Rajendran s/o Govindarajoo, felt that giving his members this option was a good idea, “It will create a more significant impact to the members’ expenditure if they can pick the voucher which is more relevant to their needs. I believe my members will be happy with this new flexibility.”
7 For both types of vouchers, the eligibility criteria for union members are:
i) Gross household income of $1,800 and below; OR
ii) Per capita income of $500 and below
Application Process
8 The application period for both vouchers will be from 3 to 16 November 2008. Ordinary Branch union members can apply directly with the respective unions they belong to. For General Branch union members, they can download the application form from or obtain the application form from the NTUC Customer Services Centre located at NTUC Centre, 1 Marina Boulevard, #B1-01, One Marina Boulevard S(018989). Further enquires may be directed to the NTUC Hotline at 6213 8008.http://www.ntuc.org.sg
Mr Zainudin Nordin
Director
Care and Share
National Trades Union Congress
APPENDIX A
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do eligible union members apply?
A1: - For Ordinary Branch (OB) members, they will apply directly with their respective unions.
- For General Branch (GB) members, they will apply directly with NTUC Customer Services Centre, Basement, NTUC Centre, No. 1 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018989 or send back the application form through the business reply envelope, if given.
All applicants will need to submit relevant supporting documents such as membership verification/payslips together with the application.
Q2. Which group of school-going children are the Back to School vouchers meant for?
A2: These vouchers will assist:
- Pre-School Level (K1 & K2)
- Primary to Secondary School Level
- Post Secondary School Level, including Junior College, Centralised Institute, Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and Polytechnic Levels
- Special Schools
Q3. How much worth of Back to School vouchers would a successful applicant get?
A3: Successful applicant with one school going child will receive $125 worth of vouchers. Successful applicant with two school going children will receive 2 x $125 worth of vouchers, i.e. $250 worth of vouchers. Therefore, eligible applicant may submit application for every school-going child in the family.
Q4. Where can the Back to School vouchers be used?
A4: The vouchers (in denomination of $5 and $10) can be used:
- At Bookshops and their authorized suppliers for uniforms at 362 Government and Government-Aided Schools (excluding independent schools), 15 Junior Colleges and 1 Centralised Institute under MOE to purchase textbooks, stationery, uniform, PE attire and any other school-related items.
- At NTUC “Back To School” Fairs held in Toa Payoh Central, Hougang Mall and Jurong East, on 6-7 December 08 for purchase of value-for-money school-related items such as assessment books, stationeries, shoes, socks, water bottles, bags etc.
- Retail stores of participating organizations and partners for selected school-related items.
Q5. Can the vouchers be converted to cash?
A5: No, the vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash.
Q6. What are the validity dates of these vouchers?
A6: The Public Transport OR Utility voucher will be valid till 31 March 2009.
The Back to School vouchers will be valid till 31 Jan 2009.
Q7. Are the vouchers transferable?
A7: Vouchers are not transferable.
Q8. What happens if the successful applicant loses the vouchers?
A8: Once the vouchers have been received by the successful applicant, it will be his/her sole responsibility to keep them safely. Lost vouchers cannot be replaced. Exercising personal responsibility in safeguarding the vouchers is advised.
Q9. If the vouchers have been tampered with or defaced, can they still be used?
A9: Vouchers should be kept safely and presented in reasonably good condition to avoid being unacceptable for use. NTUC reserves the right not to recognise or accept tampered or defaced vouchers.
Q10. What if someone found a voucher that does not belong to him/her?
A10: Lost and found vouchers can be returned to the NTUC Customer Services Centre, Basement, NTUC Centre, No. 1 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018989
