Sembcorp Industries is giving essential workers from the energy, water, waste and environmental services sectors a one-time $200 cash token of appreciation.
The initiative is to show appreciation for essential workers who have courageously continued serving the community amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In partnership with NTUC, they are disbursing a total of $500,000 to approximately 2,500 eligible union members from selected unions: Amalgamated Union of Public Daily Rated Workers (AUPDRW), Union of Power and Gas Employees (UPAGE), Building Construction And Timber Industries Employees’ Union (BATU), and United Workers of Petroleum Industry (UWPI).
The donation is part of the Sembcorp Energy for Good Fund which the company launched on 21 September 2020. The initiative aims to support community development with an initial injection of $1.5 million.
The amount disbursed to union members comes from the over $1 million of the fund that will be used this year to provide relief to essential workers, the social sector and migrant workers.
Sembcorp Group President and CEO Wong Kim Yin said: “The fund will support smaller charities with their utilities expenses, to help defray their operating costs. We also want to show our appreciation to workers who have helped keep our nation running smoothly.”
In response, NTUC Operations and Mobilisation Division Secretariat Director Fahmi Aliman expressed his gratitude for the timely assistance given to essential workers.
“This show of support is in line with NTUC’s call for employers and society at large to recognise the hard work of such workers who have gone beyond their call of duty to keep the nation running amidst the pandemic. Such efforts exemplify the spirit of one united Singapore,” he said.
Of the remaining amount to be used this year, $550,000 will be channelled to eligible charities and migrant workers.
In partnership with the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), a portion of the fund will be used to help smaller charities with limited reserves defray their operating costs.
Thirty-five eligible charities will receive a $10,000 grant to help to cover the charity’s utilities expenses.
Sembcorp and CFS have also provided SIM card top-ups to approximately 20,000 migrant workers, to help them stay connected with their loved ones back home.
