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-Members of the National Private Hire Vehicles Association and National Delivery Champions Association can apply for one-time cash relief of up to $300 -
As part of the $1.5 billion support package to provide targeted relief for the lower-income and more vulnerable groups announced by the Government on 21 June 2022, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) will roll out a relief scheme for freelance combi bus and limousine drivers who are members of the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and delivery drivers and motorcycle riders who are members of the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA). Successful applicants will receive a one-off cash relief of up to $300 under the NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme 2022.
The cash relief is being provided to this group of freelance drivers and riders to cushion the impact of higher fuel prices, which have led to increased costs for self-employed persons who depend on their vehicles for their livelihoods.
Funding support for freelance combi bus, limousine drivers and delivery drivers & motorcycle riders who are NPHVA and NDCA members
NTUC’s Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE) will administer the NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme 2022 which is expected to benefit more than 1,000 drivers and motorcycle riders.
To benefit from the scheme, applicants must meet the below criteria:
(i) For combi bus (maximum 13-seater) or limousine driver – Is a paid-up NPHVA member and must be holding a valid vocational license;
(ii) For delivery driver or rider – Is a paid-up NDCA member, drives or rides a vehicle or motorcycle to make freelance deliveries;
(iii) In the trade for at least one month prior to the point of submission of application; and
(iv) Not a recipient of the one-off relief of $150 for eligible taxi main hirers and private hire car drivers provided by the Government.
Applicants will be required to provide supporting documents such as proof of trade income, proof of vehicle type, proof of work activity and self-employed status.
The application period is from 29 August 2022 to 28 October 2022 online at
www.ufse.org.sg/reliefscheme2022. Drivers and riders who require help to apply online can approach the physical helpdesks. NPHVA and NDCA members may check the latest schedule on our website for the location of the helpdesks over the next two months before heading down.
Drivers and motorcycle riders who meet the eligibility criteria but are not NPHVA or NDCA members may apply for the NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme 2022 by signing up to be an NPHVA or NDCA member. Upon notification of their successful application for NPHVA/NDCA membership, they can proceed to apply for the scheme.
All applicants would be notified on the outcome of application within six to eight weeks. Successful applicants will receive their cash relief in two to four weeks after receiving notification of application approval.
The quantum of cash relief that successful applicants will receive in relation to their NPHVA/NDCA membership commencement date is summarised below.
|
Category
|
Existing NPHVA/NDCA
members
(More than three months of membership’ at point of submission of application)
|
New NPHVA/NDCA
Members
(Fewer than three months of membership’ at point of submission of application)
|
|
Combi bus* or limousine driver (NPHVA member)
*Maximum 13-seater
|
$300
|
$250
|
|
Delivery driver using vehicle other than motorcycle i.e. van or car (NDCA member)
|
$300
|
$250
|
|
Delivery rider using motorcycle (NDCA member)
|
$150
|
$100
|
The NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme 2022 is the latest in the suite of initiatives to provide support for freelance drivers and riders helmed by U FSE and its associations. Other initiatives that NDCA have embarked on include the following:
a. COVID-19 Temporary Relief Scheme (11 October 2021 to 31 March 2022) – Provided one-off cash relief of up to $200 for members of U FSE, NPHVA, NDCA, National Taxi Association, National Instructors and Coaches Association, Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association who contracted COVID-19;
b. P2P Driver COVID-19 Temporary Relief Scheme (1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022) – Provided one-off cash relief of $150 to taxi and private hire vehicle drivers who contracted COVID-19;
c. NPHVA and NDCA U Care Education Grant 2022 (20 October 2021 to 10 November 2021 and 1 April 2022 to 29 April 2022 respectively) – Provided one-off cash relief to school-going children of NPHVA and NDCA members;
d. NDCA Short-Term Accident Relief Fund (on-going since 2020) – Provides a one-off FairPrice Voucher to NDCA members to help ease their financial burden as a result of injuries sustained in the course of freelance delivery work; and
e. NTUC Care Fund (Special Assistance) (20 August 2022 to 30 September 2022) – Provides one-off cash relief of up to $150 to lower-income NTUC union members for daily essentials.
Easing the financial strain
Ms Yeo Wan Ling, NTUC Director and Advisor to NPHVA and NDCA, shared, “With our economy on the path to gradual recovery, our drivers and motorcycle riders who depend on their vehicles for their livelihoods have been grappling with rising operating costs due to increased fuel prices, vehicle rental fees and inflation. In turn, they are spending longer hours on the road. We hope that the cash relief will go some way in helping them financially. Our associations will continue to journey with our drivers and riders and advance their interests so that they can sustain themselves in this profession.”
Mr Ong Ser Hock, William, General Treasurer of NPHVA, said, “Even though measures are more relaxed now and ridership volume has increased, my fellow drivers have shared with me their difficulties in coping with the rising cost of living and the operating costs. As a combi bus driver, I do understand how they feel and have voiced these concerns to NPHVA. It has not been an easy time for us especially ever since COVID-19 came about and many of us have struggled with fluctuating incomes. I’m thankful for the support that NPHVA has shown through this scheme which will be of help to us. We will continue to share our drivers’ thoughts with the association as it helps to look out for us.”
