NTUC raises $7.25 million to help lower-income union members

With a continued focus on the rising cost of living amidst economic uncertainty, the NTUC-U Care Fund (U Care Fund) raised $7.25 million in 2023 to help lower-income NTUC union members and their families.

The amount was announced at its annual dinner on 8 November 2023 to thank donors and partners. Some 10,000 members have received help from various assistance programmes under the Fund.

Around 100 new and longstanding donors contributed to the U Care Fund in 2023.

Labour Movement donors continued to be the biggest contributors. Singapore Labour Foundation, NTUC Income, FairPrice Foundation, Mercatus Co-operative, and NTUC-affiliated unions and associations collectively contributed nearly $5.1 million, around 70 per cent of the sum raised.

NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and NTUC Care Division Director Melvin Yong said there was a concerted effort to cushion the effects of inflation this year. The Fund will also work towards ramping up support in other areas.

“We are thankful to our generous donors who continue to support our cause despite the economic uncertainties.

“I am mindful that the cost of living remains as one of our workers’ top concerns, and the U Care Fund has pushed out additional financial assistance for our lower-income members this year.

“While NTUC continues to help workers improve their wages and work prospects, we are also stepping up efforts to better support the welfare of our vulnerable workers, especially those who face sudden loss of income due to unforeseen circumstances,” he elaborated.

Innovating fundraising model

As part of the Labour Movement’s innovation culture, the U Care Fund has also been reviving successful fundraising events and increasing outreach through digital means.

The returning U Care Fund Charity Golf and Dinner, for instance, raised $760,100 for the cause.

The initiative was bolstered by the participation of distinguished golfers such as Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, and Manpower Koh Poh Koon, NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng and NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Desmond Tan.

On the digital front, some $30,000 was raised through various online campaigns via Giving.sg.

More help for inflation

In 2023, the U Care Fund doubled up support for lower-income members and their families to cope with higher costs.

Some 7,500 members have already received one-off cash payments worth $60 or $150 from the NTUC Care Fund (Special Assistance) to defray the cost of daily essentials.

Meanwhile, union members can apply for the NTUC Care Fund (e-Vouchers) from now till 15 December 2023 to help with expenditures on daily essentials and school necessities. Around $3 million has been set aside to assist some 10,000 members and their families.

Other assistance programmes

The Fund’s other assistance programmes extend to the wider vulnerable community. These include:

• Health for Life Fund to help low- to middle-income seniors defray the cost of Home Care and Day Care programmes.
• U Care Education Co-Funding Scheme to motivate members’ school-going children through bursary awards.

• U Care CSR Grant for Labour Movement-led community service projects.

• CapitaLand-U Care Resilience and Enablement (CAP+Ure) Fund to provide interim support for members for their children’s daily necessities and schooling needs when they are impacted by a total and sudden unexpected loss of income.

• U Care Hardship Grant to provide a one-off assistance for members who suffers non-industrial hardship arising from circumstances such as death, total and permanent incapacity, and serious chronic medical conditions.
• LIFT-UP Pathfinder Programme to assist members to uplift and upskill as a family through a series of empowering workshops.

• Family Fun Fiesta to enable members to enjoy a complimentary day of fun with their families at Downtown East to strengthen family bonding and promote better work-life balance and well-being.

What’s next?

The U Care Fund plans to provide targeted assistance to meet the unique needs of specific segments of workers. These include self-employed persons and lower-income members with school-going dependents who face sudden hardship.

Visit NTUC-U Care Fund to find out more about the U Care Fund or donate to the charity.

Union members can head to NTUC Care Fund (e-Vouchers) to apply for the vouchers from now till 15 December 2023.