At NTUC Family Festive Celebration on 19 December 2018, NTUC Membership and Gardens by the Bay announced their collaboration to give 25 per cent of union members who are less affluent complimentary admission tickets to the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome conservatories.
The beneficiaries come from NTUC’s 59 affiliated unions and three affiliated associations, including those from the Attractions, Resorts & Entertainment Union (AREU), which has a union branch at Gardens by the Bay.
Starting January 2019, eligible union members can redeem four admission tickets each. Close to 500,000 tickets will be issued, said NTUC Secretary-General (SG) Ng Chee Meng at the Family Festive Celebration event.
“Majority of my members are less affluent, working the cleaning and landscape industries. Most of them are quite senior, so they have many children and grandchildren. Hence, it may not be as affordable to go to places like Gardens by the Bay as a family. I think the complimentary tickets will provide a good opportunity for them to enjoy some family time and bonding,” said Building Construction and Timber Industries Employees' Union (BATU) General Secretary Noor Irdawaty Jammarudin.
During his welcome remarks, SG Ng noted that Gardens by the Bay had also voluntarily raised the retirement age of their older workers to 65 in July this year, beyond the mandatory age of 62.
“Gardens by the Bay is an icon not only in the economic aspect, but as you can see today, they have a heart for the Labour Movement. Not only are they contributing to the economy, they are playing an important part in promoting social cohesion,” said SG Ng.
Gardens by the Bay records about 12 million visitors a year, bringing in much tourism dollars that strengthens the economy.
The initiative is in line with Gardens by the Bay’s Gift of Gardens community outreach programme, which started with the attraction’s inception in 2012. The initiative provides complimentary access to local residents who may not otherwise have the opportunity to visit, such as the needy or individuals with disabilities.
Some 350 less affluent union members and their families, as well as union leaders, attended the NTUC Family Festive Celebration at Gardens by the Bay.
BATU member Fok Hup Seng, 62, enjoys carnival activities and performances as well as a guided tour of Christmas-themed Flower Dome with his sister and daughter, who is having her school holidays.
