The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has packed and will be distributing 10,000 care packs for workers across industries who have been working tirelessly to keep Singapore safe and running.
Packing efforts over the past few weeks were finally completed this weekend with some 70 volunteers from across the Labour Movement’s various communities, including nEbO (nobody Enjoys Being Ordinary), Young NTUC and U Live, as well as leaders from U Family.
This weekend’s packing efforts were carried out in two locations, namely at NTUC Centre at One Marina Boulevard and at NTUC’s e2i at Devan Nair Institute of Employment and Employability.
Packing team at e2i, Devan Nair Institute together with NTUC President Mary Liew and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng.
The 40 odd volunteers at e2i today were packing care packs for healthcare workers which would be distributed next week to all public healthcare institutions through the Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU).
NTUC Central Committee members led by NTUC President Mary Liew and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng visited the packing site at e2i to rally the volunteers and to present small tokens of appreciation for taking time off during their weekend to pack the care packs.
Packing team at NTUC Centre, One Marina Boulevard
While engaging the volunteers, both Ms Liew and Mr Ng also grabbed some tote bags to help with the packing as well.
Ms Liew said: “It is important that we rally together to show our appreciation to workers who are working extra hard during this difficult time.
“It is heartening that our communities have come together to lend their support to our unions to show appreciation our workers.”
She also mentioned the congress, together with the unions, associations and social enterprises stand ready to support the workers in any way that they can.
Mr Ng stated that this event was an important one for NTUC, and members of the Labour Movement, to show care and appreciation to Singapore’s frontline workers, be it in healthcare, transportation, cleaning or security sectors.
He also took the opportunity to express thanks to the Government for coming up with a strong budget plan that will take Singapore through this difficult time, citing assistant packages that have garnered much support from the ground.
“Many workers have given us their feedback, appreciating the support packages such as the $4 billion Stabilization and Support Package, and the $1.6 billion Care and Support Package,” he said.
“On our part, NTUC is preparing a care fund for impacted workers as well, and we’ll assess what we can do over the next few weeks to afford assistance workers who have encountered financial difficulties due to this Covid-19 outbreak.”
Mr Ng mentioned that companies ought to use this current period to send workers for training, and that NTUC will do what they can with their Education and Training Fund to help workers.
He concluded by thanking the media for helping communicate vital messages to the masses during this outbreak.
“Whether it is Government messages or things that we need to do together, we really appreciate our media friends’ 24/7 efforts during this period,” he said.
