By Ryan Chan
Introduced in January 2011, the Drive and Save (DAS) scheme encourages taxi drivers to make regular contributions to their Medisave account. Currently, drivers who contribute $15 monthly to their Medisave also see an equal amount matched by their respective employer. To date, more than 19,000 taxi drivers are benefitting from the DAS.
Taxi drivers working for Comfort & City Cab, Trans-cab, SMRT, Premier and Prime can expect a little more help soon. Drivers have agreed to increase their contribution by $5 to make it $20 monthly, with their respective employer matching an equal amount. The increase will take effect from 1 March 2016, and will represent a 30 per cent increase in the annual contribution to hirers’ Medisave Account from $360 to $480.
Spreading the word
In the months to come, National Taxi Association (NTA), Central Provident Fund (CPF) and taxi operators will reach out to more drivers to inform them of the changes. A bilingual brochure is also in the works to encourage drivers to participate in the scheme.
“This increase comes at an appropriate time and will go a long way to help our drivers defray part of the premium payable for the new compulsory Medishield Life scheme,” said NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and NTA Executive Advisor Ang Hin Kee.
Source: NTUC This Week
