Good morning Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen.
1 I am very pleased to be here with you this morning.
2 The principle objective of the Labour Movement is to improve the lives of workers’ and their families. We do this by helping to create a conducive climate for investments, to create jobs for workers. Then we help workers to earn more through adding value to their organizations. Productivity is raised through job redesign. When workers are displaced, we help them find new jobs. We have also helped workers stretch their hard-earned dollars through our co-operatives. The goods and services of our co-operatives are value for money.
3 We have also helped workers to bring up their children, through scholarships and bursaries. Education is the key to a better future. With a low education, one will have limited scope of jobs to choose from, especially in this era of information technology and automation. Indeed, today unemployment is highest among unskilled workers. Hence to help workers from the lower-income group give their children a better life, the Labour Movement is committed to help them with their children’s education.
4 This morning, 5 Unions and 6 Taxi Associations come together to organize this Joint Presentation Ceremony for the NTUC “Back To School” Vouchers. The expenses of workers spike up at the opening of the school year. There are new uniforms, new shoes to buy, and books and school bags to buy. Last year, NTUC gave out more than $1.9 million worth of these vouchers to help low-income union families’ pay for these expenses. This year, NTUC continues with the $2 million programme of which $ 1 million is sponsored by the Singapore Labour Foundation. These vouchers will help members cope with the annual spike in their spending. Children can also then look forward to having new textbooks, school shoes, school bags to have a good start for the new year.
5 In recent years the wages of low-income workers have stagnated. Therefore programmes such as this one are becoming more important. It is a positive way to narrow the social gap.
6 On this note, I would like wish all students a good and bright future.
7 Thank you and enjoy your morning at the DXO!
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For media queries, please contact:
Julie Tai
Principal Executive
Corporate Communications Department
National Trades Union Congress
DID 6213 8186
HP 9848 2483
Email taihl@ntuc.org.sg
