NTUC and our partners are putting together a suite of services for riders who are no longer able to make deliveries using their e-scooters. There will be two key components: firstly, NTUC’s U FSE (Freelancers and Self-Employed) Unit will provide assistance for union members facing financial hardship with the creation of a U FSE Short-term Relief Fund (E-scooter delivery riders); secondly, E-scooter Delivery Riders Training and Career Support Programme for all riders.
U FSE Short-term Relief Fund (E-scooter delivery riders)
For eligible NTUC union members who are e-scooter delivery riders in need, NTUC U FSE will launch a U FSE Short-term Relief Fund to provide support for daily essentials and membership in collaboration with partners. U FSE Short-term Relief Fund is aimed at helping eligible delivery riders experiencing financial difficulties as they are no longer able to rely on their e-scooters to make deliveries, and are unable to take on alternative employment because of constraints such as being the primary caregiver with dependent(s) or having pre-existing medical condition etc.
The U FSE Short-term Relief Fund will be extended to both existing and new NTUC union members, comprising union membership reimbursement and vouchers to help members with daily essentials. Applications can be made between 19 November to 31 December 2019, subject to availability and approval. Terms and Conditions apply.
a. Daily essential support in partnership with Kopitiam and NTUC FairPrice
Existing eligible union members will also be able to apply for $200 worth of credits, while new eligible union members can apply for $100 worth of credits. These will be in the form of Kopitiam and NTUC FairPrice gift cards
b. Membership support in partnership with foodpanda and GrabFood
Under U FSE Short-term Relief Fund, eligible union members can enjoy three months’ worth of membership reimbursement. The reimbursement will be co-sponsored between NTUC, foodpanda and GrabFood. It is important for them to retain their union membership or become a union member so that they can enjoy the full suite of membership benefits.
E-scooter Delivery Riders Training and Career Support Programme
a. Training support
For riders who wish to continue this profession and are eligible to trade in their e-scooters, they can look forward to curated training programmes covering areas such as safety, service management and first aid. These training programmes will be made available by NTUC LearningHub by next week. NTUC’s e2i is working with SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore on utilising existing training funding. To sign up for the training program, affected PMD riders are to register with their food delivery companies who would be working with NTUC's e2i and LearningHub to arrange classes for them. For GrabFood riders, they can register with e2i career coaches who are currently deployed at the premise.
b. Career support
For those who wish to switch jobs, NTUC’s e2i will identify and assess their skills gaps and thereafter recommend suitable interventions through the Adapt and Grow programmes. NTUC’s e2i is also working with the three main food delivery companies (GrabFood, foodpanda and Deliveroo) to provide career guidance and employment facilitation services for their affected delivery riders.
Representing More Freelancers
NTUC U FSE has already signaled their intention to be a representative voice for food delivery riders, courier riders and other last-mile delivery riders who rely on e-scooters to make a living.
NTUC U FSE Acting Director, Ms Jean See, shared “Having heard their concerns on the ground, I urge riders who are not members to join us so that they can access our suite of services that address their needs. We know that some riders are facing financial hardship and hope that the fund will provide them with some immediate relief. I also strongly encourage riders to take up the training programmes that will be rolled out soon.”
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