Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is NTUC increasing fees?
  • We have been relying on fund raising and donations to cover our expenses over the last few years and this is not sustainable.

  • We must be able to continue to function effectively as the face and voice of workers even when the funding stops.


2. Why is there a $1 increase?

  • During the Triennial Delegates Conference in 2000. it was agreed that membership fees will be set at 0.5% of median wage of workers.

  • The current fee of $8 is determined based on 1999’s median wage of $1700. As at June 2004, the median wage has increased to $1800.

(Info taken from MOM Labour Statistics)


3. Why was it set at 0.5% of median wage?

  • Previously there was no uniform membership rate. Most union members pay 1% of their salary as membership fees.

  • The 0.5% peg is intended to make it as affordable to members as possible. Also, the median wage is significantly lower than the average wage.


4. What is NTUC going to do with the extra $1 collected?

  • Previously there was no uniform membership rate. Most union members pay 1% of their salary as membership fees.

  • In accordance to current arrangement, 75% of fees collected go to our unions, balance 25% goes to NTUC.

  • With the extra $3 a year collected, NTUC will use this amount of money to help:

    a. cope with escalating costs

    b. enhance employability and job security of workers

         i) job redesign

         ii) back to school project
    • public transport fund
    • recreation fund
    • scholarships
    • education grants
    • hardship assistance


5a. I’m not a bargainable worker, why should I pay more?

or

5b. I do not enjoy any of the benefits / assistance schemes that NTUC provides. Why should I pay more?

  • NTUC not only provides social benefits to members, NTUC and its affiliated unions speak up for all workers regardless of whether they are general branch members or ordinary branch members.

    • Our team of Industrial Relations Officers can provide advice on workplace issues, employment laws and other employment related issues to both bargainable and non bargainable workers.

    • A good example is the recent case of the pregnant worker who was asked to leave just 6 weeks before her 3rd child was due to be born. The company compensation her with 2 months salary. She then sought help from NTUC’s IR department. Thereafter MOM, NTUC and the company then went into negotiations. When the case concluded in June, she was granted an additional 2 months salary as she was entitled to maternity benefits as stipulated under the Employment Act.

  • The Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act, which came into effect on 1 Sept '02, allows rank-and-file unions to provide representation for executive employees in 4 areas:

    • in appeals against wrongful dismissals under S.35(3) of the Industrial Relations Act;
    • negotiations for retrenchment benefits
    • cases of breach of employment contract
    • victimization arising out of a contravention of S.82  of  the Industrial Relations Act.


6. Is the extra $1 going to pay for your new building?

  • OMB is owned by the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF). NTUC is a tenant in the building and does not have any investment in OMB.

  • In fact, the space that NTUC HQ occupies is financed by the Govt in recognition of the contributions of the labour movement (to the economic and social progress of Singapore)


7. Why are you penalizing lower income members? Why don’t you just get the higher income members to      pay more?

  • Impact on the lower income members is our utmost concern with this fee increase exercise.
  • It is with this group of members in mind that the NTUC and its affiliated unions recognized that we need to do more for them. Currently, lower income union members already enjoy many assistance, you can refer to the member’s handbook “Better Protection, More Help” for a better understanding.


8. How are you using the $8 collected from me each month?

  • In accordance to current arrangement, 75% of fees collected go to our unions, balance 25% goes to NTUC.

  • NTUC uses the money to pay for our overheads as well help enhance the employability and job security of workers.

    i) job redesign

    ii) back to school project
    • public transport fund
    • recreation fund
    • scholarships
    • education grants
    • hardship assistance


9. I made an upfront payment this year. Am I expected to top up the difference?

  • No, you are not required to do that.

10. I heard my friends mention that there will be a fee increase. Why wasn’t I informed?
  • We have sent out a letter and a little booklet to all our members on 20th Sept. It may have gotten lost in the mail.

11. How much are you paying your management and staff?
  • The salaries of NTUC staff are based on that of the civil service structure, with some modifications to suit our needs.
  • The audited accounts of NTUC are published in our National Delegates’ Conference and Ordinary Delegates’ Conference publications held every 2 years.
  • If you wish to view this publication, you can visit our Information Resource Centre.


12. I do not want to pay the additional $1 and want to terminate my membership immediately.

  • Please note that there is a 3 months written notice period required. During this period, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of being a union member. Eg: Group Insurance coverage under SLF GIFT Plus, earn LinkPoints and discounts at our NTUC merchants .
  • Should you require more information on termination, kindly call our Customer Service Hotline at 6213-8008 or email us at membership@ntuc.org.sg
Back to top ^