NTUC Cares: What did NTUC do for workers in 2024? Let’s break it down

It has been a massive year for folks at NTUC, who have been hard at work supporting workers and families in Singapore. Let’s unpack some of the highlights from 2024.

Caring for workers: Lower-income, families, youths and more

At the core of NTUC’s initiatives this year was the NTUC Care-It-Forward campaign. Announced during the NTUC x NDP Bay Celebrations in August, this campaign pledged $3.85 million to support youth education and welfare.

And through the NTUC-U Care Fund, workers and families received:

- E-vouchers to ease the financial burden of lower-income members for necessities and school expenses.
- Youth Enable grant to support students facing adversities, helping them complete their studies.
- Education awards for children from lower-income families to excel.

Families didn’t just get financial support – they also enjoyed fun! Events like the Family Fun Fiesta and Gardens By The Bay celebrations provided memorable experiences for everyone.

Caring through NTUC’s social enterprises

Cost of living hitting hard? NTUC's social enterprises stepped up big time. They continued to impact communities by providing essential goods and services and funding various social needs. 

- Managing the cost of living

To help Singaporeans and all workers cope with the rising cost of living, NTUC FairPrice rolled out various benefits in 2024, such as discounts for CHAS Blue and Orange (the first supermarket in Singapore) cardholders, and Pioneer and Merdeka Generation cardholders. 

NTUC FairPrice launched the A Full Plate programme, Singapore’s largest food donation drive. Through the FairPrice Foundation, FairPrice will match up to $1 million in donations.

NTUC FairPrice also introduced a price freeze during the Lunar New Year to alleviate the financial strain on households amidst rising inflation and an increase in the Goods and Services Tax.

- Providing education for young children and serving the needs of Singapore’s ageing population

And for kids? Bright Horizons Fund, by NTUC First Campus, pledged $3 million annually for preschoolers from lower-income families – jumping to $5 million a year in 2025.

The Health for Life Fund, by NTUC Health, also continued to provide crucial eldercare support at six nursing homes, 26 day centres for seniors, 22 active ageing centres, and 22 rehabilitation centres.

Strengthening protection: Standing alongside essential and vulnerable workers

From cleaners to platform workers, NTUC fought for fairness.

- Better wages for security officers and cleaners

As part of the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) implementation, security officers’ and cleaners’ base wages have been adjusted upwards by more than 10 per cent in 2024.

Wages were also adjusted for part-time security officers under the security PWM.

NTUC will continue supporting these workers, ensuring the implementation of higher wages under the PWM and calling out errant employers.

- Protection for platform workers

Over the years, NTUC has called for better protection for platform workers.

NTUC’s calls became a reality in 2024 after Parliament passed the Platform Workers Bill to strengthen protections for platform workers.

The legislation will take effect in January 2025 and will include measures such as CPF contributions for housing and retirement adequacy, financial compensation for work-related injuries, and formal representation through platform work associations.

- Unemployment support and job security

NTUC has long championed unemployment support, with its advocacy going back to 2014.

Unemployment is tough, but NTUC’s 10-year-long advocacy has paid off. 

Starting April 2025, the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme will provide up to $6,000 over up to six months for unemployed Singaporeans aged 21 and above.

- Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests

Plus, new Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests kicked in on 1 December 2024. 

In April 2024, the Government accepted the recommendations of the Tripartite Workgroup on the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests.

The mandatory guidelines set out how employees should request flexible work arrangements (FWA) and how employers and supervisors should handle these requests. 

- Empowering women

NTUC U Women and Family (U WAF) teamed up with SG Her Empowerment (SHE) to introduce SHE Supports, which will empower and uplift up to 1,000 women with career support resources.

An expansion of U WAF’s Women Supporting Women Mentorship Programme, SHE Supports’ key feature includes mentorship circles, where regular sessions are held for women to share experiences, discuss topics in their women and caregiving journeys, and encourage and inspire one another.

Established women leaders and domain experts will also lend their expertise. Other resources include legal clinics and training.

- Legal aid and mental well-being for migrant workers

NTUC marked 2024’s International Migrants Day with big wins:

The Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) partnered with Silver Ribbon (Singapore) initiatives to enhance the mental well-being of migrant domestic workers.

The initiatives include free counselling services, workshops and training on mental well-being.

Meanwhile, the launch of the Migrant Workers’ Law Centre is set to provide migrant workers with free legal assistance with help from Pro Bono SG and other volunteers.

The centre will be at the Migrant Workers’ Centre’s (MWC) Serangoon office.

- Retrenchment support: Fair compensation for workers

Retrenchments can be tough, but NTUC made sure affected workers were not left behind. In 2024, NTUC represented various cases of retrenchment exercises, ensuring workers were fairly treated.

Our negotiations with companies such as Dyson, NinjaVan, Yahoo and Lazada during retrenchment exercises also allowed NTUC to fight for better compensation and employment support, making sure the affected workers could bounce back. 

What’s next in 2025?

NTUC isn’t slowing down. Here's a sneak peek at what’s in store for workers in the year ahead.

To support workers’ interests and career aspirations, NTUC will organise its inaugural NTUC Career Festival–the ultimate destination for career breakthroughs and fresh opportunities.

Whether you’re a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional seeking new horizons, the free festival will be held over two days on 10 and 11 January 2025.

Those who attend will gain insights from industry experts, network with employers and have access to essential resources. 

NTUC has also been championing stronger protection to ensure fairer workplaces and opportunities for all workers.

For over a decade, NTUC has advocated for measures to ensure fairness for all workers, especially PMEs and older workers, at the workplace.

In 2024, the Workplace Fairness Bill was tabled in Parliament.

The second reading is set for early 2025. If passed, the legislation will give workers more protection against workplace discrimination.

The Labour Movement will also continue championing workers’ wage increases and career development opportunities through the NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC).

Since its inception in 2019, NTUC has established over 2,700 CTCs, benefitting close to 6,000 workers.

2024 was all about standing by workers – through rising costs, wage improvements, and new protections. And in 2025, NTUC will continue to push boundaries, create opportunities, and drive change. 

Here’s to an even stronger 2025!

Want to know more about what NTUC is doing towards social good? Click to find out more!