NTUC U Live Department showed its appreciation to about 200 mature workers on Wednesday 1 October, at a dinner specially organised for these special guests, as part of the ‘Appreciating U – Our Mature Workers’ initiative by the Labour Movement.
Since June this year, the department had been reaching out to the network of 60 NTUC-affiliated unions and 1 association, in a bid to encourage unionised companies to show appreciation to their mature workers above the age of 55 years old in various ways. Staff at these companies were also encouraged to submit photos of their mature workers to the ‘Appreciating U – Our Mature Workers’ photo contest, which was also made public and ran for five weeks since mid-August, as part of a ground-up movement for everyone to appreciate mature workers whom they encounter daily and are still actively contributing to the economy.
The photo contest successfully concluded with over 130 submitted photos of mature workers in various occupations, with notes of appreciation by nominators attached to these photos during submission. Photos that were more popular (decided through the number of Facebook likes garnered) won NTUC Fairprice vouchers worth $200, to be shared by the mature worker and the nominator. Additionally, the best photo with the most inspirational caption won the grand prize of NTUC Fairprice vouchers worth $500 also to be shared by the mature worker and the nominator.More details about the prizes are in Annex A.
Mr Heng Chee How, NTUC Deputy Secretary-General said, “"This celebration of the Mature Worker by the Labour Movement is particularly meaningful. Firstly, today is the International Day of Older Persons.More importantly, the Tripartite Committee on the Employability of Older Workers has just issued its advisory to companies on how they should continue to value and employ workers beyond age 65, for mutual benefit.This testifies to the real and enduring contribution of our mature workers, for which we are truly appreciative."
Mr Sinin Bin Wasid, 68 years old, a craftsman who has worked in Makino Asia for more than 30 years said, “I’m very happy that NTUC U Live organised this special event for mature workers and shows appreciation to us. I am thankful that my company values me and my skills, and has offered me re-employment for the past six years. I am still healthy and I hope that I can continue to work for as long as I can so that I can continue to stay active and productive.”
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