NTUC Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) has unveiled plans to introduce a new MWC Associate Membership for migrant workers, which will be available for registration from the first quarter of 2022.
The plans were announced by NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng at the MWC Recreation Club at Soon Lee on 18 December 2021 – in conjunction with this year’s International Migrants Day.
The new MWC Associate Membership will be a fully digital membership, offering migrant workers benefits such as insurance coverage, training rebates and discounts on selected goods and services.
Mr Ng, who was the guest-of-honour at the event, said that the membership programme is the result of a culmination of efforts to be inclusive by the Labour Movement.
He said: “Through this associate membership, we want to offer holistic protection and benefits that are specially tailored to serve migrant workers’ lifestyle needs and cover any potential risks that they may face at the workplace.
“I urge all our migrant workers, regardless of whether they have newly arrived or have already been in Singapore for some time, to sign up for this associate membership when it is open for registration.”
Mr Ng also encouraged unions and sectors working with migrant workers to come onboard the membership programme to help workers stay protected.
The new membership programme will be introduced in two phases, with the initial rollout targeted at newly arrived migrant workers under the Settling-in Programme (SIP) for work permit holders, followed by those who are already in Singapore.
To encourage more migrant workers to sign up, MWC said it will be subsidising more than half of the membership fee for the first year, bringing the $24 fee per annum down to just $6 for the first year.
Insured by NTUC Income, associate members will be protected with up to $10,000 in term life insurance against critical illnesses, non-work-related death, as well as total and permanent disability*.
Additionally, members can enjoy rebates for accredited online courses related to the construction, marine and process (CMP) sectors through NTUC LearningHub.
There are also discounts on telco services and phone products offered by Singtel; medical services by Raffles Medical; and employment agency services by Aptiv8.
MWC Chairman Yeo Guat Kwang said: “Over the past two years, MWC went the extra mile to develop the new MWC Associate Membership for migrant workers, in support of the Labour Movement’s objectives to serve more groups of workers.
“We aim to have 100,000 migrant workers sign up for the membership within a year of its launch in first quarter 2022, and we look forward to providing a 100-day report of the membership by the second quarter of next year.”
As part of the celebration for this year’s International Migrants Day, MWC distributed a total of 6,500 meal vouchers valued at $30,000, and 3,000 goodie bags with items such as masks, toiletries and dry food rations.
Physical booths were also set up by MWC’s partners at the Soon Lee Recreation Club to provide migrant workers with convenient access to telco and employment agency services.
On 19 December, MWC will also host a virtual celebration between 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm on MWC Facebook page, which will feature performances by talents from South East Asia; lucky draws for migrant workers; and virtual interviews with migrant workers to learn about their life experiences working in Singapore.
*This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. This insurance plan is underwritten by Income. Policy terms and conditions apply. Protected up to specified limits by SDIC. Information is correct as of 16 December 2021.
