May Day Family Carnival strengthens family ties and supports worklife harmony
11 May 2008
Media Release
1. The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) celebrates the importance of family ties at the May Day Family Carnival this year. The Labour Movement brings a carnival mood to Downtown East for all union members and their families to come together, and enjoy a day of interaction through fun-filled activities. The Guest of Honour for today’s event is Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Finance.
2. Expecting a turnout of about 25,000 people, Downtown East has been especially reserved to accommodate for a delightful time. Complimentary carnival coupons have been prepared for union members to enjoy the facilities. Each coupon allows free entry into Wild Wild Wet or Escape theme park, with complimentary food and drinks redemption and free gameplay at participating booths. Main sponsors of the carnival include the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF), NTUC FairPrice and NTUC Club. NTUC Income and Workplace Development Agency (WDA) are Gold and Silver sponsors respectively.
3. Diana Chia, Co-Chairman of May Day Family Carnival organising committee said, “Resonating the ‘live’ and ‘play’ aspects of the Labour Movement, today’s event is an inclusive one. The activities have been designed to involve both the young and old, working communities across different job spectrums and not only locals but also foreigners working in Singapore.”
4. Through a day of bonding, the NTUC Family Development Unit aims to promote the importance of worklife harmony and to strengthen family ties. This year, a special family-centric activity titled 'The Amazing U Family Race' has been organised for union members to participate with their family. The game consists of a three to five member family team to go through a series of stations. At each station, a family member is required to perform an activity that reverses the role that he or she plays in the family. Competing as a team at these fun challenges, family members can foster a better understanding of each other. It also reinforces the importance of spending time together as a family, to better appreciate one another's role. The winning family will be rewarded with a $1,000 cash prize. For families who are not participating in “The Amazing U Family Race”, there are lucky draw prizes available and they stand a chance a win a trip for five to Hong Kong Disneyland.
5. Edwin Lye, Co-Chairman of May Day Family Carnival organising committee said, “As union members and their families enjoy a day of fun, the May Day Family Carnival carries an important intention. Presently, many social and economic issues can impact family life making it a challenge to maintain a worklife harmony. The labour movement places emphasis on the family unit as it recognises its role and importance to sustain a fulfilled and productive workforce.”
U Family
6. The Family Development Unit was formed at the National Delegates Conference last October, with the aim of advocating a family-centric focus within the Labour Movement and to build up a community of "happy families" in Singapore. In keeping with the refreshed Labour Movement brand, the unit is known as ‘U Family’. With the launch of a brand new logo, U Family has been created with its functions and initiatives in mind. The U Family logo design embodies heart shapes in the ‘U’, depicting care and concern of the Labour Movement towards its members and their families, and the same love that family members should give towards one another.
7. At the May Day Family Carnival, U Family was instrumental in the thoughtful planning of family-centred activities, for both children and adults. U Family marks a key collaboration with NTUC Club’s eXplorerkid , where the latest indoor playground at E!hub promotes fun for children and parents. At the U Family booth, where the public can sign up as members to enjoy a host of benefits from merchants, recreational activities and educational information target at families with young children. There will also be an art and craft session as well as a Mothers' Day cupcake decoration session in one of the Downtown East function rooms for children.
8. Director Designate for Family Development Unit, and Vice Co-Chairman of the May Day Family Carnival organising committee, Toh Hwee Tin said,”U Family seeks to develop family-based initiatives, particularly at transitional phases and children developmental points to strengthen family bonds and support. Our immediate task is to engage with relevant partners and the government to build stronger worklife policies and integrated services. Through the May Day Family Carnival, U Family hopes to reach out to members and their families, creating more awareness and understanding of our various channels and initiatives. In addition, U Family is working to extend its benefits to NTUC’s current union membership base. The goal is to double membership from 9,000 last year to 18,000 by the end this year.”
9. Since its launch, U Family together with the Employability and Enhancement Department of NTUC, collaborated with the Centre for Fathering to host workshops for unemployed parents, helping them to cope during the transitional period. The first workshop took place at the NTUC Centre in April this year. At the recent U Launch event on 27 April at Downtown East, U Family members also participated in a bowling tournament using specially-designed mini-lanes for kids at the new E!Hub.
10. Future directions for the unit focus on bringing even more benefits and activities to engage members. For the working parents, U Family develops and provides sources that cater to their lifestyle, recreational and parenting needs. U Family is developing ‘Love Programmes’ to remind married couples that their relationship is priority and to raise their children in a loving environment. These programmes are designed to preserve and strengthen the married working couples’s relationship, and to prepare them for transitional phases, for example, the arrival of a new baby.
11. U Family will also be linking up with the Regional Training and Resource Centre in Early Childhood and Education for Asia (RTRC Asia) to provide quality articles for members on child development and education as part of the U Family portal at www.ufamily.org.sg.
12. Additionally, existing and planned collaborations include those with merchants like OCBC on financial planning tips and advice, educational and heritage tour attractions discounts to Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore Explorer's Labrador Tunnels and Hua Song Overseas Chinese museum. Articles and a question and answer column on children's health from medical professionals will also be available.
Annex 1:
Details on eXplorerkid
Size: 35,000 square feet
Play Stations:
• Mega Play
• Ball’O’City
• Adventure Highland
• The Cliff (Rock wall)
• Toddler Play Area (Toddlers’ very own Ball Pool – for age 3 and below)
• Lit Ball Pool (For kids above 3)
• Ice Skating Rink
Parents Corners:
• Slumberland
• The Cocoon
• The Mound
• Café
- 1 Event Hall
- 3 Party Rooms
- Retail Fun Shop
