NTUC CLUB FAMILY RECREATION FUND VOUCHERS 2007
23 November 2007
Media Release
1 As a caring and inclusive labour movement, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) believes that low-income union members should be given ample opportunities in the areas of work, life and play. Therefore, NTUC Club, the recreational arm of NTUC, has once again distributed $1 million worth of Family Recreation FUNd (FRF) vouchers to low-income union members this year. So far, $3 million worth of FRF vouchers have been given out in the past 3 years since 2005. With the vouchers, union members can achieve work-leisure balance and enjoy NTUC Club’s many recreational facilities such as theme parks and chalets at Downtown East, Pasir Ris and Sentosa.
2 NTUC has always strived to launch programmes that fulfil the “physiological needs” or basic needs (refer to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Annex A) of its less fortunate union members by providing them with subsidies such as the NTUC Care and Share public transport and utility vouchers. As part of NTUC’s mission to enhance the social status and well-being of its union members, NTUC Club has taken a further step to provide affordable and accessible entertainment facilities to needy union members as an avenue for family bonding and fun, thus fulfilling Maslow’s “safety” and “belonging” needs.
3 Mr Ong Ah Heng, Director of NTUC Care and Share, said, “As an all inclusive labour movement, low-income union members and their families should also be given an equal opportunity to experience family bonding and wholesome entertainment. We hope that the Family Recreation FUNd vouchers will provide them with an outlet to relax with their loved ones without straining their pockets or stressing over how to make ends meet.”
4 This year, 10,000 successful families who fulfilled the eligibility criteria of household income of less than $2,500 or per capita income of not more than $750 will receive $100 worth of FRF vouchers per family valid till 31 August 2008[1]. They can be redeemed against NTUC Club’s resort stay packages and entertainment services such as Wild Wild Wet, Escape Theme Park and Zone X arcade games.
NEW! Free nEbO Membership
5 As an additional benefit, NTUC Club is offering a fully subsidised 3-year nEbO membership to children of voucher recipients who are full-time students aged 12-21. This membership allows nEbO members to enjoy numerous lifestyle benefits and be involved in the different communities. The membership also aims to encourage and expose children of low-income families to a healthy social life beyond education. For more information on nEbO, please refer to ANNEX B or visit http://www.nebo.sg.
6 In the words of data-entry clerk Norhayani Bte Sani from the United Workers of Electronic and Electrical Industries (UWEEI) who has 3 children aged 1 to 3, she is grateful that NTUC Club is taking a step further to sponsor activities that can enhance her family life. “Since the birth of my first child in 2004, we have never gone on a holiday as a complete family. Although both my husband and I are working, we are on a very tight budget. Therefore, if not for this voucher, we will not have gone for any breaks with our children. Now, I can at least fulfil their wish by booking a resort!”
7 Plant operator Chan Yoke Peng from UWEEI remarked, “My husband is a contract worker and his income is not stable; there is no room for holiday expenses at all. My two boys are already aged 13 and 16, yet we have never taken them on a proper break apart from visiting my mother’s hometown in Ipoh.” Expressing her joy in obtaining the vouchers, she said, “I told my children that if they do well for the year-end examinations, I will reward them with the Family Recreation FUNd vouchers. I also want them to sign up for the free nEbO membership so that they can widen their social circle and be exposed to more meaningful projects.”
Mr Ong Ah Heng
Director
Care and Share
National Trades Union Congress
*****
About National Trades Union Congress (NTUC)
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is a national confederation of trade unions in the industrial, service and public sectors representing 500,000 workers in Singapore. NTUC comprises 63 affiliated unions, 6 affiliated taxi associations, 9 co-operatives and 6 related organisations. NTUC’s objectives are to help Singapore stay competitive and workers remain employable for life; to enhance the social status and well-being of workers; and to build a strong, responsible and caring labour movement. NTUC's vision is to be an inclusive labour movement for all collars, all ages and all nationalities. For more details on NTUC, please visit our website at www.ntuc.org.sg
About NTUC Club
Established in 1986, NTUC Club provides value-for-money entertainment and recreational facilities to all. Today, the Club has grown into one of the largest entertainment and leisure group in Singapore and has repositioned itself as a one-stop entertainment cum lifestyle provider. Over the years, it has expanded to include a world class theme park (Escape Theme Park), Singapore’s largest water theme park (Wild Wild Wet), three holiday resorts - Costa Sands Resort (Downtown East), Costa Sands Resort (Pasir Ris), Costa Sands Resort (Sentosa), five clubhouses (Happy Days, Jest D'Place, Union Square, DXO and Scarlet City), The Spa @ Aranda and a one-stop recreation cum lifestyle complex (Downtown East).
[1] All packages are valid till 31 August 2008 unless stated otherwise.
