Caregiving is a part of everyday life for many workers in Singapore, whether they are caring for young children, older parents or family members with special needs.
Caregivers often sacrifice income opportunities or face higher daily expenses because of their responsibilities.
NTUC understands the pressures faced by caregivers who must balance family responsibilities with professional duties.
Through a range of initiatives, NTUC is committed to easing the burden and enabling caregivers to thrive both at home and at work.
The NTUC Care Fund (Caregiver Support) assistance helps eligible union members who shoulder significant caregiving duties.
Launched earlier this year, the support helps two groups of lower-income caregivers: those with special needs children and single caregivers of young children and elderly parents.
Caregivers, especially those with lower incomes, also often face income pressures when work hours are reduced or when daily expenses spike.
By helping to offset recurring caregiving costs, the schemes empower families to focus on care without constantly worrying about financial strain.
“The vouchers really helped. I could stretch my budget a little further and have some breathing space,” – single parent Lilliana Samsudin.
Caregiving needs rarely occur in isolation, and families may struggle with other living expenses.
NTUC complements caregiver-specific help with broader support from other NTUC Care assistance programmes.
These initiatives include the NTUC Care (U Stretch), the NTUC Care (Education Awards), the NTUC Care Fund (Special Assistance) and the NTUC Care Fund (e-Vouchers).
These forms of aid do more than provide short-term help. They give caregivers peace of mind that their families’ basic needs are met, allowing them to direct energy towards caregiving.
The NTUC-U Care Fund funds these NTUC Care assistance programmes.
The NTUC-U Care Fund was established in 2009 to consolidate the Labour Movement’s fundraising efforts to improve the welfare of lower-income union members.
These NTUC-U Care Fund assistance programmes provide bursaries, e-vouchers, and enablement grants to support beneficiaries.
NTUC aims to raise a total of $7 million by the end of 2025, benefitting over 40,000 individuals across Singapore.
Money alone cannot solve the challenges caregivers face. They also need time.
NTUC has long advocated for flexible work arrangements as a way for caregivers to remain in the workforce while fulfilling care duties.
One example is the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests, formed in collaboration with tripartite partners.
The mandatory guidelines set out how employees should request flexible work arrangements and how employers and supervisors should handle these requests.
The guidelines empower caregivers by making flexibility not just a privilege, but a workplace right.
With options like flexi-time, flexi-place and flexi-load, caregivers gain the ability to shape their work around the rhythms of caregiving.
For caregivers, this translates to less stress about meeting both work and family obligations, enabling them to cope better without sacrificing career progress.
“With this shift arrangement, I spend the same hours at work. I contribute in the same way, just that I get to end earlier. I get to spend more time with my son, which is important for me as a young dad,” - Chua Wee Liang
Returning to work after a caregiving break can feel daunting.
Besides championing flexible work arrangements, the NTUC Women and Family actively engages companies to promote work-life harmony.
One example is the C U Back (CUB) at Work Programme, launched in 2023 to help women and caregivers re-enter the workforce with confidence by offering flexible work opportunities, skills training, and mentorship. This empowers caregivers by rebuilding career pathways while recognising their caregiving realities.
The CUB programme builds confidence, uplifts women with new skills and improves livelihoods. It demonstrates NTUC’s commitment to creating inclusive workplaces that support women and caregivers.
Joanne used to struggle to return to work due to caregiving responsibilities. She is now gainfully employed through the CUB programme.
Another initiative is the Better Workplaces Campaign, which aims to recognise and highlight progressive employers committed to creating supportive and inclusive workplaces, such as promoting work-life harmony, FWAs and policies to manage workplace harassment.
By promoting these examples, NTUC Women and Family drives a cultural shift where supportive workplaces become the norm, directly benefiting caregivers who need understanding employers.
For families relying on migrant domestic workers to assist with caregiving duties, NTUC Women and Family also worked with the Centre for Domestic Employees to organise events that promote harmonious relationships between employers and migrant domestic employees.
This initiative indirectly reduces stress for primary caregivers, giving them reliable assistance.
NTUC Women and Family also teamed up with SG Her Empowerment (SHE) to organise the SHE Supports: Friendship Circles.
The mentorship initiatives create a supportive environment for women to connect with mentors from diverse industries, share experiences and seek advice on topics such as managing work and caregiving.
Such peer networks empower caregivers with both emotional resilience and practical strategies for coping.
Every initiative, whether financial aid, workplace flexibility, or advocacy, is about giving caregivers the resources, time, and confidence they need to cope.
NTUC’s holistic support translates into fewer financial worries, greater career continuity and stronger networks for caregivers who would otherwise feel stretched thin.
Caregivers are the backbone of families and communities. By empowering them, NTUC is ensuring that caregiving does not come at the cost of livelihood, well-being or dignity.
Click here for more information on all NTUC Care assistance programmes.
To help those in need, you can donate to the NTUC-U Care Fund.
