~ The walk commemorates NTUC’s 64 years of championing workers’ interests and rights since its founding on 6 September 1961 ~
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) today celebrated Singapore’s 60th year of independence and NTUC’s own 64th birthday by bringing together about 1,500 participants for our very own NTUC SG60 Solidarity Walk. The event raised nearly $3 million in support of NTUC Care assistance programmes, which help uplift lower-income union members, platform workers, caregivers, and their families.
“As we celebrate SG60 and NTUC marks 64 years of championing workers’ interests, our NTUC SG60 Solidarity Walk reflects the very heart of our mission – to help workers earn a better living and live a better life,” said NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng. “The $3 million raised is a testament to our collective solidarity and will go directly to support our lower-income members, platform workers, caregivers and their families. With the strong support of our unions, partners and donors, we will continue our efforts to uplift and care for every worker in Singapore.”
NTUC Care Assistance Programmes Take Care of Workers’ Welfare
"The NTUC SG60 Solidarity Walk is a powerful expression of our shared purpose in the Labour Movement in helping our workers,” said Melvin Yong, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of NTUC’s Care Division. “It is heartening to see union leaders, colleagues and partners from all walks of life come together to show solidarity and raise funds for our lower-income union members and their families. The strong support from our unions, donors and youth volunteers inspires us to continue doing more for those who need us the most.”
Through the collective efforts of the NTUC-affiliated unions, associations and social enterprises, together with corporate donors, management and tripartite partners, NTUC successfully raised $3 million through the NTUC SG60 Solidarity Walk, with all proceeds going toward the NTUC Care assistance programmes. Prior to the walk, corporate donors and unions pledged their support through contributions totalling nearly $3 million for NTUC Care assistance programmes. This significant fundraising milestone was made possible thanks to the strong support of the Labour Movement family, including generous contributions from NTUC’s impact businesses such as FairPrice Foundation, Income Insurance Limited and Mercatus Co-operative Limited. Their solidarity and shared commitment to improving the lives of lower-income workers underscore the Labour Movement’s collective strength and unwavering focus on uplifting those in need.
Established in 2009 to consolidate the Labour Movement’s fundraising efforts to better the welfare of lower-income union members, these NTUC-U Care Fund[1] supported assistance programmes provide bursaries, e-vouchers, and enablement grants to support beneficiaries. NTUC is targeting to raise a total of $7 million by the end of 2025, which will benefit over 40,000 individuals across Singapore.
NTUC SG60 Solidarity Walk Commemorates NTUC’s 64 years of Championing Workers’ Interests and Rights
Held from 8am to 12pm on 6 September 2025, Saturday, the NTUC SG60 Solidarity Walk brought together NTUC’s Central Committee, corporate donors, NTUC-U Care Fund beneficiaries and their families, as well as about 200 youth volunteers. Participants also included the NTUC-U Care Fund Board of Trustees, NTUC Enterprise, and NTUC’s affiliated unions and associations. The event was graced by NTUC President K Thanaletchimi and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, who flagged off the start of the walk.
For the NTUC SG60 Solidarity Walk, participants chose between 3km and 6km routes, starting and ending at NTUC Centre, One Marina Boulevard. The walk featured familiar cultural touchpoints and heritage-inspired visuals. The NTUC SG60 walk took participants past iconic sights such as Marina Bay Sands, the Helix Bridge, Singapore Flyer, Esplanade, Gardens by the Bay, and the historic Civic District. Along the way, they also enjoyed waterfront views of Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, home to the NTUC FairPrice Finest outlet, symbolising NTUC’s commitment to enhancing workers’ and Singaporeans’ lives and livelihoods. At the finish line, participants marked the celebratory walk with goodie bags featuring iconic NTUC memorabilia, photo-booths for lasting memories, and nostalgic F&B booths serving Singapore favourites.
The NTUC SG60 Solidarity Walk also served as a platform to empower youth leadership within the Labour Movement. Close to 200 youth volunteers joined the walk, with some hosting the beneficiaries, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by lower-wage workers and their families, while reinforcing a collective sense of care and solidarity.
This year’s walk held special meaning as participants celebrated NTUC’s 64th birthday, marking the day the Labour Movement was founded on 6 September 1961. For more than six decades, NTUC has stood alongside generations of workers, advocating for their rights, protecting their livelihoods, and helping them adapt to the changing world of work. The NTUC SG60 Solidarity Walk not only celebrated this rich legacy but also reaffirmed NTUC’s enduring commitment to championing the interests and well-being of all working people in Singapore.
[1] “NTUC-U Care Fund” is the registered charity name and is used when directing the public to make donations (e.g. “Donate to NTUC-U Care Fund to support lower-income members”). For programme references, “NTUC Care” is used as the common name.
