By Joshua Joseph
With the mission of becoming a Caring Labour Movement through U Care, the Labour Movement is certainly well on track after having raised up to a total of $53.9 million through fundraising efforts. Held on 7 April 2011 at the Orchid Country Club, this year's fund-raising efforts kick started with a special 27-hole U Care Charity Golf 2011 in celebration of NTUC's 50th anniversary.
A total of over $6.8 million was raised through the sale of golf flights and outright donations. This surpasses by more than 50 per cent the $10 million target set for 2011. The major donors included Singapore Labour Foundation, NTUC FairPrice Foundation, NTUC Income, NTUC Choice Homes and ComfortDelgro Corporation.
At the event, 50 flights of golfers comprising union leaders, management and government officials came together for the fund-raising event. Among the distinguished guests gracing the occasion were NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say, Minister for Manpower Gan Kim Yong, Minister of State for Manpower and Trade and Industry Lee Yi Shyan and NTUC Care and Share Alignment Director Zainudin Nordin.
Sharing at the event, Mr Zainudin said: "We are very proud that at the U Care Charity Golf this year we are able to raise a lot of funds in terms of the way we work together in the tripartite partnership, the management, the unions and even individuals who have come forward to raise funds for today's Charity Golf. The other effort that we have consciously done is to engage our Social Enterprises. Our Social Enterprises have also come strongly to assist us in raising our U Care Fund for this year's target..."
With escalating inflation bound to impact low-income households, especially in their daily necessities, the U Care Fund will set aside $11.7 million for 2011 to assist low income members and families cope with the rising cost of living.
The U Care Fund provides assistance to low-income union members and families through core assistance programmes such as U Stretch vouchers, U Care Back to School vouchers, U Care Education Co-Funding scheme and Family Recreation and Fun Carnivals.
"Our 'Care and Share' efforts have gone a long way back, and it is definitely heartening that we continue to receive such overwhelming support from our Labour Movement family throughout the years. We will continue to reach out to our low-income members and extend all the help we can give," Mr Zainudin said.
The event also marked an important milestone for NTUC as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Mr Zainudin added : "The NTUC 50th anniversary is celebrated together with our tripartite partners and with this unique golf event we have a chance to be together, share and celebrate and at the same time help the workers who are in need and the low-wage workers."
