Established during the global downturn in 2009, the NTUC-U Care Fund consolidates the Labour Movement's fundraising efforts to better the welfare of low-income union members and their families.
“When we first started, the downturn called for a major fundraising effort. It was through the collective effort of the Singapore Labour Foundation, the unions, and our management partners that we managed to raise the funds,” said NTUC Care and Share Department Deputy Director Phyllis Lim.
The department administers the disbursement of the fund to beneficiaries. In its first year, the Labour Movement managed to raise some $23.2 million, and this fundraising effort has been an annual affair since. Into its seventh year, the NTUC-U Care Fund has raised a total of $88.58 million and disbursed over $74 million to its beneficiaries to date.
This year also saw NTUC-U Care Fund set aside $2.65 million for the NTUC U Stretch Vouchers and $3.8 million for the U Care Back to School Vouchers.
Several other assistance programmes include the U Care Education Co-Funding scheme, U Care CSR Grant, and donations to Bright Horizons Fund and Eldercare Trust.
Preparing for Rainy Days
There is also a growing concern that if the economy takes a downward turn, low-income members would be among those heavily impacted.
Ms Lim said: “We are at this moment working with the NTUC Industrial Relations Department and also the unions to prepare ourselves for issues on the sectoral or even national level to step in and provide immediate relief if it is called for. At this point in time, we are monitoring the situation closely.”
However, low-income union members may not necessarily be the only ones who need support. In the case of death or permanent disability, all union members below the age of 65 are eligible for NTUC GIFT – an insurance policy that automatically covers NTUC members against death or permanent disability up to the assured sum of $40,000.
Ms Lim added that every year, the department reviews if there is a need to enhance the assistance programmes or to introduce new ones.
Charity Transparency Award
The NTUC-U Care Fund was also recently named one of the winners of the inaugural Transparency Awards, which recognises charities with good disclosure practices.
“We are first of all very honoured and happy that we were recognised. After all, we consider NTUC-U Care Fund to be a young charity. We took the guidance and advice from the board of authorities and placed proper checks and balances to ensure that the funds we raise are properly managed. The award is an affirmation that we make it transparent to our donors of how we disburse the money,” said Ms Lim.
She added that the Labour Movement will continue to work hard to help uplift the lives of low-income members moving forward.
Ms Lim said: “We will continue to make ourselves a trusted and caring Labour Movement that makes a difference and touches lives. Ultimately, this is at the heart of what we do. We won’t only want to improve the lives of our workers, but of their families as well.”
