http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_349122.html
Workers to raise $1m
Unions, taxi associations hope to raise amount by first half of the year
By Goh Chin Lian
Labour chief Lim Swee Say hailed their efforts yesterday, saying he was heartened by the passion and commitment shown by union leaders and members. -- PHOTO: ST FILE PHOTO
WORKERS are helping to raise $1 million for colleagues in need and those retrenched in the downturn, with the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF) pledging $2 for every dollar that unions raise.
Labour chief Lim Swee Say hailed their efforts yesterday, saying he was heartened by the passion and commitment shown by union leaders and members.
'Our unions have limited resources. It is also not easy for them to raise funds from union members and unionised companies especially during the downturn,' he said at a golf fund-raising event.
'Yet, our union leaders have come out strongly to support the fund-raising efforts for the U Care Fund.'
This was a reference to a new $20-million fund that the labour movement aims to establish by the first half of this year with the help of its cooperatives, affiliated unions and unionised companies.
Among those whom the fund intends to assist are workers from companies that folded up as they may not get retrenchment benefits or may receive amounts that are insufficient to tide them over in the short term.
The fund will also help needy families pay for their children's school expenses and cover part of their utility bills.
The 61 unions and six taxi associations affiliated to the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) are aiming to raise the $1 million by the first half of this year.
The SLF - funded mainly through contributions from unions, their members, and cooperatives, as well as from investment returns - has committed to provide $2million in matching donations.
Read the full story in today's edition of The Straits Times.
Workers to raise $1m
Unions, taxi associations hope to raise amount by first half of the year
By Goh Chin Lian
Labour chief Lim Swee Say hailed their efforts yesterday, saying he was heartened by the passion and commitment shown by union leaders and members. -- PHOTO: ST FILE PHOTO
WORKERS are helping to raise $1 million for colleagues in need and those retrenched in the downturn, with the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF) pledging $2 for every dollar that unions raise.
Labour chief Lim Swee Say hailed their efforts yesterday, saying he was heartened by the passion and commitment shown by union leaders and members.
'Our unions have limited resources. It is also not easy for them to raise funds from union members and unionised companies especially during the downturn,' he said at a golf fund-raising event.
'Yet, our union leaders have come out strongly to support the fund-raising efforts for the U Care Fund.'
This was a reference to a new $20-million fund that the labour movement aims to establish by the first half of this year with the help of its cooperatives, affiliated unions and unionised companies.
Among those whom the fund intends to assist are workers from companies that folded up as they may not get retrenchment benefits or may receive amounts that are insufficient to tide them over in the short term.
The fund will also help needy families pay for their children's school expenses and cover part of their utility bills.
The 61 unions and six taxi associations affiliated to the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) are aiming to raise the $1 million by the first half of this year.
The SLF - funded mainly through contributions from unions, their members, and cooperatives, as well as from investment returns - has committed to provide $2million in matching donations.
Read the full story in today's edition of The Straits Times.
