By Geraldine Peters
Some 11,000 more beneficiaries, in addition to the 50,000 in 2014, stand to benefit with the Labour Movement’s recent revisions to its voucher programmes.
The good news was shared with some 9,000 low-income members and their families who came over to Downtown East on 31 May 2015 for the launch of the Family Recreation & Fun (FRF) Carnival 2015.
Eligibility Criteria
The voucher programmes, comprising U Stretch and Back to School, can now be utilised by families with dependants and with a gross household income of $3000, up from $2800 previously.
Families without dependents and with a gross personal income of $1,450 can now enjoy the programmes as well, after a $50 hike from before.
Speaking at the event, Special Guest NTUC Secretary-General (SG) Chan Chun Sing reaffirmed NTUC’s commitment in providing more benefits to more members.
“NTUC will make sure that through our various initiatives, including the U Care Fund, we will best take care of our workers and their families in need,” he said.
NTUC-U Care Fund Fundraising
Also at the launch, the Labour Movement announced it will be starting fundraising efforts towards its U Care Fund, with a target set at $10.5 million. The fund is geared towards helping low-income members.
The five runs of the FRF Carnival alone will amount to $1.5 million in sponsorship and provides a promising head start to NTUC’s fundraising efforts.
Donations made to the NTUC-U Care Fund will be distributed to low-income members and their families through voucher programmes and the U Care Education Co-funding Scheme, as well as donations to the Eldercare trust and the Bright Horizons Fund.
Celebrations All Around
As part of SG50 celebrations at the launch, SG Chan joined members and their families to place specially designed blocks forming an installation in the shape of Singapore.
Participants were treated to an array of carnival games, admission to the Wild Wild Wet waterpark and a lucky draw, all part of a recreation package worth $150 given to each family of four.
A total of 40,000 participants are expected to turn up for all runs happening in the months of June, July, November and December this year.
Source: NTUC This Week
