Afiordability Will Stay In Refreshed Downtown East

60 cents | MICA (P) 029/11/2012
22 March 2013
Affordability
Will Stay
In Refreshed
Downtown East
It Will Keep Serving Union
Members And Public
Throughout Five-Year
Redevelopment Process
By Naseema Banu Maideen
E
ven with thrilling plans shaped up for a
refreshed Downtown East, NTUC Club
remains steadfast in its mission of providing
affordable services to union members and
the public. NTUC Club Chief Executive Officer
Yeo Khee Leng reaffirmed this commitment
at the groundbreaking ceremony held on 18
March 2013.
This was also a day that celebrated the first
phase of construction of the redevelopment
project that will kick off with the construction
of a brand new resort. NTUC Club made the
official announcement that it was redeveloping
Downtown East as part of its 25th anniversary
celebrations in July 2012.
The $200 million redevelopment of
Downtown East promises an integrated leisure
experience with a new resort, a bigger water
park and expanded MUCE (Member, Union,
Community and Engagement) facilities.
Targeted to be completed by end 2017, this
five-year plan’s new platforms will enable NTUC
Club to extend its reach to union members and
communities at a larger level, Mr Yeo added.
The total area of the Costa Sands Resort will
be expanded from the current three hectares to
3.8 hectares. The new resort will also be linked
seamlessly to Wild Wild Wet and other facilities
via an elevated walkway with retail, dining and
entertainment choices.
6
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NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say (in red shirt), joins NTUC Club Chief Executive Officer Yeo Khee Leng (in blue
shirt) and Chief Operating Officer Lim Eng Lee (in orange shirt) in piecing together a three-part backdrop depicting
the land scape of the new development.
As one of the largest
lifestyle providers in
Singapore, we will keep our
facilities open throughout
so that we can continue to
engage our members and
workers in Singapore and will
have affordable recreation and
leisure choices. NTUC values
every worker and, in particular,
every member.”
NTUC Club Chief Executive Officer Yeo Khee Leng
Housing close to 400 rooms, up from the
360 rooms now, the six-storey resort main block
and three clusters of chalets will cater to the
different needs of guests; the shared rooms
will be about 35 per cent bigger than the ones
currently available.
These expansion works bring with them
jobs that will be created. NTUC Club Chief
Operating Officer Lim Eng Lee said that as it
continues to hire older workers, there will be a
key focus on productivity. “As we are refreshing
physically, we are also refreshing our processes.
We will be looking at more automation systems
for better productivity for our workers,” he cited.
The groundbreaking ceremony that
unfolded at the site of the former Escape Theme
Park, situated at the northern end closest to Pasir
Ris Park, brought together Guest-of-Honour
NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say who is
also NTUC Club Management Council Chairman,
as well as union leaders, representatives from
associations, NTUC’s Social Enterprises and the
Pasir Ris East community.
THE NEWS IN
3 Minutes
Better Productivity Must Always Be
The Upshot
NTUC welcomes the new Job Flexibility
Scheme and a market-based skills framework
for businesses in the service sector to better
optimise their foreign manpower. – pg 2
New Wave For Aspiring Cadets
Nineteen cadets graduated from the first
phase of the Tripartite Nautical Training
Award programme as they next gear up for
an 18-month sea training on board oceangoing ships. – pg 5
The Science Of Family Fun
NTUC’s U family hosted an exclusive and funfilled Family Night Out at the Science Centre
for 500 families. – pg 8
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Preparing Now
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Youths Explore
Affordability...
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NTUC THIS WEEK 22 MARCH 2013
Raising Productivity
Must Be The Upshot
By Naseema Banu Maideen
E
mployers in the service sector now
have new initiatives to help them better
optimise their foreign manpower. The
Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has rolled
out two measures – the Job Flexibility Scheme
(JFS) and a market-based skills framework for
businesses in the service sector.
Focus Must Be Raise To Productivity
The Labour Movement welcomes these
initiatives, said NTUC Hospitality and
Consumer Business Cluster Lead Yeo Guat
Kwang, who is also Migrant Workers’ Centre
Chairman. Through the Job Flexibility Scheme,
from 1 July 2013, businesses in the services
sector can offer their Work Permit Holders
(WPHs) the opportunity and flexibility to work
across different job functions within the same
firm.
This will help them reduce the need
for additional manpower, as well as better
optimise and adjust the deployment of
their staff according to the demands of their
businesses. “We urge employers to tap on
the JFS sensibly and reasonably as part of a
holistic plan to raise productivity,” he said.
In a gist, he said employers must keep in
mind these issues.
n Workers’ consent must be sought and their
health and safety cannot be compromised.
n Employers must share the productivity
gains with employees.
n Employees be trained properly before
being tasked to take on the enhanced
work functions and scope.
MWC requests for
MOM to increase its
efforts to closely monitor
the implementation of this
scheme (market-based skills
framework) and take firm
action against employers who
abuse the system. MOM must
ensure that all workers – locals
and foreign – are valued and
treated fairly.”
NTUC Hospitality and Consumer Business Cluster Lead
and Migrant Workers’ Centre Chairman
Yeo Guat Kwang
He added: “We support the JFS and
are working with MOM and the Singapore
National Employers’ Federation (SNEF) on a
set of tripartite guidelines to help companies
implement this responsibly and ensure our
workers, locals and foreign, are duly protected.
The proposed guidelines should apply to both
unionised and non-unionised companies.”
Focus On Quality Over Quantity
Of Foreign Workforce
The current skills framework for WPHs to
upgrade from the ‘Unskilled’ (R2) to ‘Skilled’
(R1) status was first introduced to encourage
employers to hire and retain skilled foreign
workers. The levy rate for R1 WPHs is lower
than that for R2 WPHs.
In addition to the current qualifications
and skills test based criteria for a WPH to
be considered skilled, the market-based
skills framework allows WPHs in the services
sector to upgrade from R2 to R1 status. MOM
will also extend the 10-year cap for WPHs in
the services sector to 16 years to encourage
employers to retain experienced and skilled
foreign workers.
Mr Yeo said that this is in line with MWC’s
call for tripartite partners to focus on quality
over quantity for our foreign workforce.
Local workers will also benefit because
employers are discouraged from recruiting
foreign workers who are less experienced and
regarded as cheaper labour alternatives, who
are more likely to hold down salaries for locals,
he explained.
He also called on MOM to curb companies
from merely increasing salaries of their WPHs
who meet the years of experience to $1,600
to enjoy the skilled levies.
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NTUC THIS WEEK 22 MARCH 2013
Cadets sharing happy
moments at the Tripartite
Nautical Training Award
(TNTA) programme pre-sea
graduation ceremony.
Turning Dreams Into
Reality With TNTA
By Joshua Joseph
T
here were dreams realised and
invaluable lessons learned as the
Tripartite Nautical Training Award
(TNTA) programme pre-sea graduation
ceremony for its fourth intake came to a
memorable close on 27 February 2013.
The ceremony held at Lighthouse
Bistro saw some 19 cadets graduate after
completing the first phase of the TNTA
programme which is a six-month pre-sea
training programme. The next phase for these
cadets will be an 18-month sea training on
board ocean-going ships.
The TNTA is a tripartite initiative between
the Singapore Workforce Development
Agency (WDA), NTUC’s e2i (Employment and
Employability Institute), Singapore Maritime
Officers’ Union (SMOU) and supported by
the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA).
WDA, e2i and SMOU collectively contribute
S$4.2 million towards the Place and Train
scholarship programme. The pre-sea training
is conducted by Wavelink Maritime Institute
(WMI).
First incepted in 2009, this 31-month
training programme is the first continuing
education route that trains and places young
Singaporeans with at least GCE ‘N’ Level
qualifications as Certificate of Competency
(CoC) Class 3 Officers. With the CoC
qualifications, cadets will be licensed to work
on board international vessels, and qualify
for further upgrading to obtain higher level
licenses.
Seafarers starting their careers and sailing
as Class 3 Officers are estimated to earn
between US$2,000 to US$2,500 monthly,
The TNTA provides a good
avenue for many people
who want to get involved in this
(seafaring) career. We believe that
this is a way into the career for
many people and this provides
good opportunities for people
who would want to enjoy a
seafaring career and still earn a
good salary.
“It also provides a
structured way to give people the
pre-requisite skill sets that will
let them do well in their job at
sea. The programme has actually
evolved and I think it’s becoming
more and more impactful. We
hope to grow this programme
beyond what we have today to
allow more people into this job.”
NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute)
Acting Chief Executive Officer Gilbert Tan
with earnings estimated to climb to at least
$US5,000 monthly for those who reach the
rank of Ship Captain.
With a current global shortage of
seafaring officers, there is a need to train
more people for the jobs here in Singapore
to strengthen the Singaporean core in
maritime, to have a constant pool of officers
to meet industry demands and build national
resilience. This education route has paved
the way for more Singaporeans to get into
seafaring.
Among the cadets who graduated from
the first phase of the programme was Mr
Raja Muhamad Asyraf. He paid tribute to his
lecturers for their commitment and passion
in the last six months. He shared: “Not only do
they help us during class, but they will also
be ever ready to stay back after hours just to
ensure that we understand the lessons for
the day. Stories that they shared during their
sailing years really kept the learning fresh and
interesting.”
Mr Raja expressed his gratitude to those
who made it possible for him to undertake a
programme like this.“ I would like to take this
opportunity to extend my gratitude to WDA,
e2i, SMOU, WMI, the shipping companies and
all of you who have made our dream, clearly
mine, a reality,” he added.
Also sharing on his joy at the ceremony
was cadet Mr Omar Bin Mohamed Said who
shared on being able to fulfil his dreams in
pursuing a career in seafaring. Once faced
with limited opportunities in pursuing his
passion, the TNTA has paved the way to
making his dreams a reality.
“This programme not only created an
opportunity for me but this programme
changed me a lot in terms of character
building. The programme opened a new path
in life for me. If not for this (programme), my
options would have been limited, it now gives
me a wide range of choices for what I want in
life.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from,
as long as you are willing to learn. If your
attitude is right and you want to change your
life, this is the programme for you.”
Said SMOU General Secretary Thomas
Tay said: “It heartens me to see that
the programme attracts the younger
Singaporeans who want a second chance at
life, to have better careers and better wages.
Our greatest satisfaction is seeing these
cadets through their careers, where they
progress to eventually become Masters of a
ship. Currently, we have also just accepted the
fifth intake of cadets, which also happens to
be our largest intake and we are excited at the
potential we have in the TNTA programme.”
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NTUC THIS WEEK 22 MARCH 2013
Parliament This Week
Valuing Every Worker
Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) continued to raise their heartfelt concerns for Singaporeans from all
walks of life at this year’s Committee Of Supply (COS) debates held in Parliament from 8 to 15 March 2013.
Here are some highlights.
By Joshua Joseph and Nicholas Lee
Influx Of Foreign Workers
Labour NMP Mary Liew raised the issue of the question on
Singaporeans’ minds on whether there will be another influx of
foreign talents to support new industries that the Government will
be exploring as announced during the recent Budget. She asked the
minister on how the ministry will balance the influx with the current
promise to reduce or maintain the numbers of employment passes
being issued.
Incentives For Single Parents
Nominated Labour MP Mary Liew voiced her
concerns for unwed mothers. She commended
the Government for accepting a number of
NTUC proposals and for introducing a range of
maternity and childcare benefits in the recent Marriage
and Parenthood Package. However, she believed that
incentives should also be extended to unwed mothers
as "what matters most is the child." She believes that
these unwed mothers who choose to keep their babies
despite the difficulties need help from the Government
as they have to take care of the child single-handedly.
Measures
“MND (Ministry of National
Development) recently
announced measures to support
divorced and widowed single
parents, we're happy for that. To
better support their care-giving
responsibilities, the Government
will extend infant care and
childcare leave provisions to
unwedded single parents. This
means that like other parents,
single unwedded parents will
receive the same childcare leave
support. Six days of childcare
leave a year for children below
seven years of age and two days
for those aged between seven
and 12.
“Single unwedded parents
will also enjoy six days of unpaid
infant care leave if they have a
child below age two. This will
come into effect on 1 May this
year. We will continue to strive
to provide better support for our
families under duress.”
Acting Minister for Social and Family Development
Chan Chun Sing
Measures
In response, Acting Minister
for Manpower Tan ChuanJin said that the ministry is
monitoring the growth rate
of the foreign workforce so
that the proportion does
not exceed beyond the
one-third ratio that was
adopted in 2010.
“We will be watching the
numbers closely this year, sector
by sector… Last year, our foreign
workforce grew by about 67,000.
This is still too large, and we have
tightened our policies further to
bring it down.”
Acting Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin
Professional Development For Early
Childhood Educators
Labour MP Ang Hin Kee called for greater and better recognition
of early childhood educators as professionals. He shared that
teachers he has met are highly inspired and it was important to
recognise early childhood educators as professionals, beyond
academic qualifications professional development is important. He
proposed a new Professional Development Incentive Scheme to retain and
upskill early childhood education teachers.
An early childhood educator will receive incentives after completing
professional development courses and remaining in the job for three years.
Having put forth the idea to operators and teachers, Mr Ang believes that
many are open to such a scheme which will enable more to be attracted to
the industry to remain and to develop themselves professionally.
Measures
“We agree with Mr Ang Hin Kee that many of these skills
go beyond academic qualifications. Some may not have
the necessary academic qualifications but they have a
certain way with children that can bring them up with
the correct values and the correct attitude to learning.
This is what we want - the feedback from the operators
- and we will be prepared to work with the operators to
see where there are these deserving cases for us."
Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing
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NTUC THIS WEEK 22 MARCH 2013
Measures
Further Raising Of The
Re-employment Age Band
NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Heng Chee How urged the
Government to seriously prepare raising the re-employment
age band further to 67. This, he said, was to further help the
manpower crunch that industries are facing now.
Minister of State (MOS) for Manpower Dr Amy Khor revealed
that the ministry will work with the Tripartite Committee on
Employability of Older Workers to conduct more studies on the
impact of re-employment, identify an appropriate timeframe
to further raise the re-employment age, and find other ways to
enhance employment opportunities for older workers.
Cost Of Enforcing Small Claims
Labour MP Patrick Tay voiced concerns of residents as well as
freelance professionals who have shared on the limitations of
the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) route and the costs of litigation
if one seeks to enforce the small claims judgment. For example,
if the amount of the judgement claims is $1,000 or even $5,000,
the costs to enforce if the losing party refuses to pay may render
it not worthwhile to take further civil action. He called for the Ministry
of Law to help plug this lacuna and provide some recourse for the
claimants.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups
Of Workers And Professionals,
Managers And Executives (PMEs)
Labour MP Patrick Tay highlighted the need to revise laws to
protect vulnerable groups of workers, especially PMEs and
Freelance PMEs, and to review provisions in the Employment
Act (EA) to stay current and relevant in light of the changing
employment landscape.
Measures
Measures
“We are conscious of the cost factor in our ongoing
review of the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) Act
together with the Subordinate Courts, and will
ensure that the Small Claims Tribunal stays true to
its purpose of providing effective and swift redress
for small claims."
Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said that
the ministry will extend the general provision of the
EA such as protection against unfair dismissal and
sick leave benefits to 300,000 PMEs in the labour
market. Also, the issue of Freelance PMEs will be
dealt with in Phase 2 of the EA review to begin later
this year as it requires more time for study.
Senior Minister of State for Law Indranee Rajah
Incorporate Progressive Wage Model
For Low-Wage Sectors
Measures
Labour MP Yeo Guat Kwang said that he hoped the MOM will
consider establishing sector-based or cluster platforms like the
Tripartite Cluster Committee for Cleaning (TCC) for all lowwage sectors. He also asked the MOM whether it had plans to
support the Labour Movement to ensure that it gives employers and employees
effective ways to skill-up and build progressive wages.
Recognise And Promote Fair
Employment Climate
Upkeep And Maintenance Of
Injured Foreign Workers
Labour MP Alex Yam spoke about the
need to recognise good companies and
profile them holistically. He mentioned
that other companies will keep up when
good employers have been set apart.
Labour MP Zainal Sapari suggested that the MOM
provide greater clarity on the responsibility of the
employers on the ‘upkeep and maintenance’ of workers
who file claims under the Work Injury Compensation
Act (WICA). He was concerned that foreign workers, who had filed
claims under WICA due to serious leg or back injuries, were being
given accommodation which required workers to climb up many
floors as reported by NGO activists.
Measures
“I agree with Mr Alex Yam that it is
important for us to recognise employers
that go the extra mile to improve their
HR practices to recruit and retain their
employees, especially older workers,”
said MOS Dr Amy Khor. She noted that
such companies are recognised through
the biennial TAFEP Exemplary Awards.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower Hawazi
Daipi mentioned that the Government will form the
Security Tripartite Cluster (STC). The tripartite body
will develop Progressive Wage Model for the security
industry. It will also plan to raise basic wages and
reduce overtime hours in the coming few years.
Measures
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower Hawazi Daipi highlighted
that MOM will take action against such cases. He reiterated that employers
have the responsibility to provide acceptable accommodation under the
Employment of Foreign Manpower Regulations. “Those who fail to do so
face a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or jail term of up to 12 months,” said Mr
Hawazi.
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NTUC THIS WEEK 22 MARCH 2013
Preparing Now For The Future
A
s part of a new milestone programme,
members of the NTUC Central
Committee (CC) met Deputy Prime
Minister (DPM) Teo Chee Hean Teo
(pictured, with microphone) on 28 February
2013 for a closed door policy dialogue. Hosted
by NTUC President Diana Chia (pictured, on
the right of DPM) and NTUC Secretary-General
Lim Swee Say (pictured, on the left of DPM) ,
the session saw many CC members posing a
myriad of questions and concerns to DPM Teo.
DPM Teo started the session by talking
about how Singapore is going through a
challenging phase in our development. Our
Singaporean population and workforce are
no longer young, but ageing rapidly. Our
workforce growth is also slowing. At the same
time, with improved education, about
two-third of Singaporeans are expected to be
PMEs (Professionals, Managers and Executives)
by 2030, compared to about half today.
DPM Teo said that we need to prepare
ourselves ahead of time, in order to sustain
Singapore’s competitiveness and grow the
economy to create the jobs of the future.
Unions would also have to adapt themselves,
to better cater to the needs of our evolving
workforce.
Even as we tighten dependency ratios for
foreign workers and raise foreign worker levies,
the government will continue to need some
increase in foreign manpower to take care of
our elderly Singaporeans, as well as to take up
jobs that Singaporeans may not want to do.
DPM Teo said that the unions have a role in
working with companies to boost productivity,
and the Government will continue to help
companies and unions with this transition.
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For example, the Wage Credit Scheme
(WCS) announced in this year’s Budget
is intended to help companies raise their
employees’ wages over the next three years
while they embark on productivity initiatives.
Along with the WCS, the Productivity and
Innovation Credit Bonus and Corporate Income
Tax Rebate make up the three-year Transition
Support Package, which will help companies as
they go through economic restructuring.
Some Small and Medium Enterprises
(SMEs) may not survive during this period of
restructuring. The unions and the NTUC's e2i
(Employment and Employability Institute)
must continue to play a big role in retraining
workers, so that they are able to find new jobs.
The Government will also continue to invest in
training.
NTUC CC members also asked about issues
such as accessibility and affordability of public
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transport and healthcare. DPM Teo said that
the Government was looking at enhancing
and expanding the public transport system,
including putting in more buses, and building
new rail lines.
On healthcare, DPM Teo said that the
basic policy of using insurance to cover the
large items of health expenditure rather than
all health expenditure was appropriate, as it
helped to keep insurance premiums lower
and cover the high-cost episodes that worry
Singaporeans the most. The Government
is now looking at how this assurance of
covering such high-cost episodes could be
strengthened.
Singaporeans can also rest assured that
they will not be deprived of medical care
because of financial reasons. Besides Medisave
and MediShield, needy Singaporeans can also
tap on Medifund to pay for their subsidised
healthcare costs. Last year, some 518,000
Medifund applications were approved,
with an average assistance of $1,295 for
hospitalisation and $103 for outpatient
treatment.
Responding to how the Government
seeks to build trust with Singaporeans,
DPM Teo said that it is important to do the
right things and to do things right. The
Government would continue to formulate the
right policies to benefit as many Singaporeans
as possible. However, it was equally important
to execute the policies well so as to achieve
the intended outcomes. Only then can we
build a better future in Singapore, for all
Singaporeans.
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NTUC THIS WEEK 22 MARCH 2013
Working Youths Explore Affordability ...
With Young NTUC
It is heartening to
see young PMEs
voice out issues close
to their hearts at the
dialogue. This platform
certainly provided
Young NTUC with an
opportunity to gather
their voices, so we can
better represent them.”
By Florina Oo
Picture by TYN 20/20
D
oes our salary keep pace
with the increasing costs
of living? Is Singapore
becoming an expensive
place to live in? These were just
some of the concerns raised
at the recent Young NTUC
Coffeeshop Talk.
Putting the topic of
affordability into perspective, a
group of participants gathered
Participants engaging in a lively discussion over coffee.
at TCC at Circular Road on
2 March 2013. The session, hosted by the
The two-hour session saw participants
Labour Movement’s youth chapter, saw
sharing how rising costs have amplified over
participants having the opportunity to
the good quality of living, which Singapore
voice their views and engaged in various
continues to offer. Housing, disparity in wages
discussions with others.
and transport were themes that dominated
the discussion, as participants acceded that
The size and setting
everyone should continue to be able to afford
of this session is a
the daily necessities.
conducive platform to hear
Suggestions were also made to invest in
everyone’s views. After all, there
technology to boost work productivity, ensuring
that society does not lose sight of work-life
are always two sides to a story.”
balance. Ultimately, participants agreed that
Marketing Professional Josh Goh
the working society has to understand their
Youth Development Unit Head (PME
Engagement) Eric Lim
needs and wants, and learn how to manage
expectations and priorities.
Steering ahead, Young NTUC will continue
to provide platforms to collate the voices of
young PMEs (Professionals, Managers and
Executives). In addition, Young NTUC will be
organising a monthly inspirational talk series in
its effort to reach out to young workers, collate
their voices and represent them as advocates,
resulting in the youth chapter providing
alternatives and aspirations to influence young
workers for a better Singapore.
Stepping Up
For
By Florina Oo
Pictures by Young NTUC
I
t was back to the basics for Steve
Ng , a regular participant at the
NTUC Income RUN 350, organised
by Young NTUC, when he suffered
a knee injury a few years ago.
Instead of slowing down, Steve
was determined to get back on
track and made a radical switch to
barefoot running. Since then, the
old adage of slow and steady has
become part of his recovery ethos.
As the youth representative for
Steve Ng
Young UWEEI (United Workers of
Electronics & Electrical Industries), Steve saw the
event as a platform for the union to reach out
to their members who share a common athletic
passion. He also shared green tips when possible:
“At the training sessions, it’s a great initiative
that runners are encouraged to bring their own
bottles for refill to do their part to
save the environment, minimising
the usage of paper cups.”
Steve was also present at the
second training clinic, which saw
more than 120 participants at NTUC
Centre on 16 March 2013. During the
two-hour session, participants heard
from Dr Lim Baoying, a resident
physician from the Changi Sports
Medicine Centre. Focussing on
how to tailor training programmes
according to an individual’s race
targets and goals, Dr Lim also shared how to
minimise injuries from running. Along with a
demonstration on proper stretching techniques,
the training clinic concluded with a 6km run
around the Marina Bay area which participants
enjoyed.
A Peek Into The Race Pack
All runners will receive an eco-friendly
race pack
worth more
than $200
containing an
exclusive RUN
350 running
singlet and
many other
sponsored
products.
Pick up your race entry packs at:
Date : 29 to 31 March 2013
Venue : Orchard Central
Time : 11am to 7pm
See you at the start line on 7 April 2013.
8 workingfor
• labourmovementforall
NTUC THIS WEEK 22 MARCH 2013
The Science Of
Having Family Fun
By Muneerah Bee Mohamed Iqbal
S
cience came alive at U Family’s latest
instalment of Family Night Out on
16 March 2013 at the Science Centre
Singapore. 500 families enjoyed an
exclusive entry to the venue after its normal
operating hours for fun-filled activities, such
as the Family Gallery hunt. The children also
did some hands-on science experiments
guided by the Mad Scientists there.
NTUC member and Wedding Planner
Florence Lim, 36, was enthusiastically taking
photographs of her sons as they tried out
the experiments and she found the activities
to be beneficial to her children who are in
Primary 5 and Primary 2.
As her younger son will be taking Science
as a subject next year, she hopes that this
exposure at the event will give him a positive
attitude towards learning Science. She said:
“Science is supposed to be fun anyway, so
they can learn through fun and play and not
necessarily from textbooks only.”
Participating in events by U Family saves
Ms Lim the hassle of planning family outings
on her own, and the family can focus on
bonding and enjoying themselves. At the
Family Night Out @ Science Centre, families
were also treated to a screening of an IMAX
Movie, `China - The Panda Adventure’ at the
Omni-Theatre.
U Families learning the gooey origins of plastic through the
Slippery Slime experiment.
Intrigued by the wonders of dry ice.
Family bonding through exploring the exhibition
galleries at the Science Centre Singapore.
NTUC Membership Reaches Out To More
By Florina Oo
W
ith the newly released U Privileges booklet, it was not
surprising to see new and existing NTUC members curious
to learn more about the benefits they could enjoy. Earlier
this month, NTUC’s Membership Department (MED) held a
roadshow at the Marina Bay Sands from 7 to 10 March 2013.
Coinciding with the IT Show 2013, NTUC hopes to reach out to more
Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs) as well as families in
Singapore. The roadshow also marked the first time MED participated at
the popular annual IT Show.
New members who signed up and made an upfront payment
of three or six months membership fees get to walk away with a
complimentary OTO neck snuggler worth $78 or an OTO e-Twirl
massager worth $268 respectively. By the end of the recruitment drive,
522 new members had joined.
Besides the attractive sign up incentives, new and existing members
had a go at the Grab ‘N’ Win activity. The interactive game play also saw
more than 1,000 existing members walk away with fantastic prizes.
These included the OTO Sweet Spot massager, OTO vouchers, travelling
luggage amongst others.
With the NTUC Membership Card,
I will be able to join some of the
development courses at a better rate. The free
gift was definitely a bonus.”
I have been using the NTUC Membership
Card for more than six years. I decided
to sign up for my wife, so that she can also shop
independently and enjoy the benefits.”
Newly-recruited NTUC member Leow Sheue Juan
NTUC member Pavadaisamy Ramanan
11 workingfor
• labourmovementforall
NTUC THIS WEEK 22 MARCH 2013
Helping To Build Community
By Nicholas Lee
S
ome residents living in
the Braddell Heights
Constituency had wall murals
painted and restored around
their estate recently when 800
Year One students from Nanyang
Junior College (NYJC) took part in
its school’s community effort to
commemorate the school’s 35th
anniversary.
FairPrice Foundation, the
philanthropic arm of NTUC
FairPrice Co-operative Limited
donated a total of $9,000 to
FairPrice CEO Mr Seah Kian Peng joins NYJC students to paint the wall murals.
the event to purchase painting
equipment. FairPrice had earlier
Organisation Seah Kian Peng said: “FairPrice is
supported the initiative five years ago where 30
privileged to be a partner as the initiative not
wall murals were painted to celebrate NYJC’s
only created an opportunity for its students
30th anniversary.
to express their creativity and imagination,
The joint-collaboration by NYJC, Braddell
it also enabled them to play an active role in
Heights Citizens’ Consultative Committee
contributing to the community.”
(CCC) and NTUC FairPrice will cover 35 wall
Mr Seah participated actively by joining the
murals totaling about 550 square metres.
students to paint the murals. He noted that the
FairPrice Chief Executive Officer (Singapore)
pictures on the murals depict the community
and Grassroots Adviser to Marine Parade
spirit of living and working together in
Group Representation Constituency Grassroots
harmony. “The art pieces, in addition
to beautifying the residential estate,
also create a unique identity of our
own which residents can take pride in,”
he said.
NYJC Principal Kwek Hiok
Chuang said: “The project symbolises
our college-wide approach and
commitment in contributing back to
our community.”
The wall murals painted around
the estate by the students were
designed entirely by the students
from the Art Elective Programme.
This is the second time since 2007
that NYJC’s Art Elective Programme
students were tasked to design murals
based on themes associated with
National Education.
“We find it quite meaningful. You will find a
sense of achievement at the end of it because
we started from scratch,” said one of the
students.
“From a FairPrice perspective, this is one of
the things that we constantly want to do, to
have this community engagement. Community
engagements can take many forms. Today’s
project is one such form, involving residents,
and grassroots leaders,” shared Mr Seah.
Participants at the seminar took back tips on financial management.
UWEEI Members Get Tips On Financial Freedom
T
here are multiple efforts within the
Labour Movement to reach out to
engage more members, as well as to
recruit new members. Along these
efforts was the seminar themed `Learning The
Essential Money Skills For Financial Freedom’
held on 5 March 2013 at NTUC Centre.
United Workers of Electronics & Electrical
Industries (UWEEI) had jointly organised this
learning event with Adam Khoo Learning
Technologies Group (AKLTG), the U Associate
partner of NTUC. This was the first learning
event that NTUC Membership Department
(MED) supported in helping unions reach out
to their members. This initiative will help union
members enhance and develop their personal
and professional development skills.
Many members, especially from UWEEI’s
Engineering Professional Community (EPC),
attended the workshop and took home useful
financial tips such as generating passive
income by investing in real estate investment
trusts and the various strategies for selecting
winning stocks with high profit potential.
Shared Mr William Soh Kee Ann, an engineer
with Seagate Technologies Private Limited, 48,
who was one of the participants at the seminar:
“The seminar was definitely very informative.
It was a plus that it was conducted in a lively
manner. I actually picked up useful information
on smarter ways to invest my money and am
certainly looking forward to more of such
seminars.”
Mr Soh was accompanied by his
colleagues, who are also union members at the
session. “Beyond just discussing about financial
freedom, the speaker also encouraged positive
thinking towards managing finances, which
was something that I appreciated,” added Mr
Poh Peng Wan, 49, also an engineer. Like Mr
Soh, he too expressed interest in attending
similar workshops organised by NTUC.
For unions who are interested in arranging
this session for their members, please contact
Han Ying at 6213 8003 or [email protected].
劳资政三方航海培训课程 13
职总周报 2013年3月22日
上航海培训课程让梦想扬帆
2013年2月27日，劳资政三方合
办的航海培训课程的第四届学员，参
加了正式出海前的结业典礼。该课程
让有志于从事海事业的学员圆梦。
19名学员出席了在灯塔酒馆举行
的结业典礼。他们完成了第一阶段为
期半年的出海前培训课程后，将在下
一阶段进行18个月的海上培训。
劳资政三方航海培训课程是由新
加坡劳动力发展局、职总就业与职能
培训中心、新加坡高级海员联合会合
办，Wavelink海运学院负责教导，并
得到新加坡航运协会的支持。劳资政
三方也共同拨出420万元用于发放安
置与培训奖学金。
航海培训课程是我国首个以持续
教育模式展开的海事业安置与培训课
程，整个课程为时31个月，自2009 年
以来，便面向至少考取N水准的新加
坡年轻人。此课程的目标是培养学员
考取海事业第三级合格证书。拥有合
格证书，学员才能取得在国际船只上
工作的执照，并可在未来持续提升以
获取更高级的执照。
海员的职业生涯从第三级海员开
始，可领取2000美元至2500美元的
工资。当他们晋升成为船长时，工资
至少可达5000美元。
目前全球海事人员短缺，因此亟
需培养人才，从而在海事业组建一支
19名完成第一阶段劳资政三方航海培训课程的学员，即将展开为期18个月的第二阶段海上培训。
以新加坡人为核心的劳动队伍，满足
此行业的人力需求。
拉惹是第一阶段课程的肄业生，
对于导师的孜孜教导，他表示感谢和
尊敬。
“ 老 师 不仅仅在 课 堂 上帮助 我
们，而且随时准备在课后给予我们辅
导，确保我们充分了解学习内容。老
师还在课堂上分享他们的航海经验
和见闻，让整个学习过程充满活力和
趣味。”
“ 我 也 想 借 此 机会 向劳 发 局、
职总 就 业与职能培训中心、高级 海
联、Wavelink海运学院、船务公司表
示感激，是他们让我的梦想成真。”
另一名结业学员奥玛也分享他实
现梦想并能在海事业展开职业生涯
的心情。
“这项计划不仅为我带来了机会
和希望，同时改变了我的性格。倘若
不是这项课程，我的选择很受限，现
在我的路子宽广多了。”
奥玛 也想 对 还 没 上课 的年 轻 人
说：“不论你来自何方，只要愿意学
习，想改变生活，而且态度正确，这
项课程肯定对你有益。”
高级海联秘书长郑维华表示：
“这
项课程吸引了希望有第二次机会改变
生活，希望有更好的职业前景和薪金
的年轻人参加，令我非常欣慰。我们
感到最满足的是看到这些学员不断在
这一行发展，最终成为船长。目前，我
们已开始招收第五届学员。新一届的
学员人数将会是有史以来最多的。劳
资政三方航海培训课程对年轻人的
吸引力，让我们雀跃万分。”
U家族之夜
家长与孩子同游科学馆
U家族在2013年3月16日于新
加坡科学馆举办的家族之夜，让科学
活生生地呈现在参加者眼前。科 学
馆在开放时间过后，特别让500个家
庭进入馆内，参加家族画廊寻宝等各
项精彩活动。此外，孩子们还有机会
在“疯狂科学家”的指导下亲手做科
学实验。
当两个儿子在做科学实验时，职总
会员及婚礼企划员林小姐（36岁）不
停地为他们拍照。她认为这项活动令
目前分别就读于小五和小二的孩子获
22 Mar.indd 13
益匪浅。
由 于小儿子明 年 将 开 始 学 习 科
学，林小姐希望这次活动能激发他的
兴趣。她说：
“科学应该是有趣好玩
的，因此不一定要局限于课本，还可
以通过趣味活动和游戏来学习。”
参加U家族举办的活动不但省却
了策划家庭活动的时间，更能专注于
亲子互动和享受家人相聚的时光。另
外，参加这次 活 动的家庭 还在全天
域影院观赏了IMA X电影“与熊猫共
探险”。
21/3/13 6:02 PM
职总平价合作社 15
职总周报 2013年3月22日
制作壁画为社区增添色彩
南洋初级学院为庆祝学校成
立35周年，最近组织了800名初院
一年级的学生到布莱德岭区修复部分
民宅的外墙，并在上面绘制了35幅壁
画，面积共计550平方米。
职总平价合作社支持这项社区活
动，特嘱其属下基金会捐赠9 000元
供 学 校 购买壁画用具。职总平价在
5年前南洋初级学院庆祝建校3 0周
年时，也支持当时绘制3 0 幅壁画的
计划。
这次活动是由南洋初级学院、布
莱德 岭公民咨询委员会 合办，职总
平价 合作社协办。职总平价 合作社
总裁（新加坡）及马林百列集选区基
层组织基层顾问谢健平表示：
“能共
同参 与这项计 划，职总平价感到非
常荣幸。这不仅开启了学生的创意和
想象力，同时也让他们为社区贡 献
力量。”
活动举行时，谢健平和学生一同
作画。他说：
“这些艺术创作，为居住
环境增添美感，也创造了属于居民的
独特认同感，令他们感到自豪。”
所有3 5 幅 壁画都 是由南洋 初 级
学院美术选修 课的学生设计。这是
他们自2007年设计爱国相关主题的
壁画之后，第二次接下这项任务。南
洋初级学院校长郭毓川表示：
“这项
计划象征我们全校动员，贡献社区的
精神。”参与活动的其中一名学生表
示：
“这次活动别具意义，从画草稿
到完成作品，整个过程让我们充满成
就感。”
谢 健平分享说：“从职总平价的
角度来看，我们持续在做社区参与活
动。社区参与有各种形式，今天的活
动人物就包括了居民和基层领袖。”
谢健平（图中）亲自和南洋初级学院学生一同作画，美化社区环境。
实施新计划
鼓励雇主采纳灵活工作制
人力部政务部长许连碹博士
在国会拨款委员会辩论人力部的开支
预算演说中表示，人力部将推出一项
新的WorkPro计划，以帮助新加坡人
重返劳动队伍。
WorkPro计划将全方位支持年长
工友及重返工作岗位的本地工友，同
时鼓励雇主在雇用这些工友时提供
协助和支援，从而创造渐进式薪金制
的运作环境。
许连碹博士表示：
“WorkPro计划
将帮助雇主平衡工友的工作与生活，
同时加强工作吸引力及保留本 地工
友。其次，这项计划也将协助公司进
行重新设计工作、聘请和保留员工，
并为他们提供在职培训。”
此外，WorkPro计划将通过下列
方式资助雇主和工友：
◆ 重新设计工作津贴（每家公司高
达30万元）：支付在工作场所重新设
计工作的费用，协助雇 主 聘请 和 保
留年长工友及重返工作岗位的本地
工友。
22 Mar.indd 15
◆ 工作与生活平衡津贴（每家公司
高达16万元）：包括发展津贴等，用
以支付雇主落实灵活工作制等工作
与生活平衡策略的开销。灵活工作制
奖励将能鼓励雇主持续实施灵活工
作制。
◆ 年龄管理津贴（每家公司高达2万
元）：帮助雇主取得必要的技术和运
用相关的知识，以落实年龄管理。
◆ 在职培训津贴（每家公司高达5万
元）：鼓励雇主培训新聘请的重返工
作岗位之本地工友。
◆ 新雇佣保留津贴（每家公司高达5
万元）：提供给雇主额外津贴，以落实
保留新雇用的年长工友和重返工作岗
位的工友。
◆ 工作准备支援：重返工作岗位的
本地工友可参加免费的就业准备工作
坊，帮助他们掌握工作所需的正确技
能和知识。
◆ 保留花 红（每 名工 友 高 达1 2 0 0
元）：只要雇主参与了WorkPro计划，
他所聘用的重返工作岗位本地工友，
每月工资总额在4500元及以下者，将
获得这项花红奖励。
◆ 交 通 津 贴（每 名 工 友 高 达 2 0 0
元）：属于低收入家庭的重返工作岗
位本地工友和年长工友，当他们受聘
于参与WorkPro计划的雇主时，将获
得一次性200元交通津贴。
WorkPro是人力部、新加坡劳动
力发展局、新加坡全国雇主联合会及
全国职工总会携手推出的劳资政计
划。许连碹博士认为这对于现行的计
划，以及“工作与生活平衡办得到”
基金和优势计划具有补强和巩固的
作用。
此外，政府也将在未来三年拨出
共1.7亿元的款项支援工友和雇主。
许连碹博士希望占公司比例70%的中
小型企业将能从WorkPro计划获益。
21/3/13 6:03 PM
售价 60c | MICA（P）029/11/2012
2013年3月22日
翻新后娱乐城
收费合理 设施更多
职总秘书长林瑞生（红衣者）、职总俱乐部总裁杨启龙（蓝衣者）及职总俱乐部营运总裁林荣利共同为职总白沙娱乐城Downtown East主持翻新工程动土仪
式。所有工程预计将在2017年竣工。
尽管职总白沙娱乐城Downtown East计划增建许多新设施，负
责管理该城的职总俱乐部将继续秉持使命，为会员及公众提供价格合理
的服务。职总俱乐部总裁杨启龙在2013年3月18日职总Downtown East
翻新计划动土仪式上，再三强调俱乐部的一贯承诺。
当天也是首期工程启动的日子。职总俱乐部是在2012年7月庆祝成立
25周年时宣布建造全新度假村的计划。
作为新加坡最大的消闲度假胜地，我
们将继续开放，让会员及我国工友以合宜的
费用使用其中的设施。
— 职总俱乐部总裁杨启龙
按计划，整个翻新工程耗资2亿元，目标是建造一座综合度假村，内
设大型水上乐园，以及供会员、工会、社区及主办各类活动的设施。杨启
龙补充说，所有工程预计将在2017年竣工，届时，这项5年工程计划将让
职总俱乐部更有效地扩大接触工会会员和社区。
此外，白沙乐怡度假村的面积将从目前的3公顷扩大至3.8公顷，人
扩建工程完成后也为国人创造就业机会。职总俱乐部营运总裁林荣
们可通过高架步道从白沙乐怡度假村抵达紧邻的Wild Wild Wet水上乐
利表示：
“我们要有令人耳目一新的服务，同时也要改进工作流程，因此
园、商店、餐厅和其它娱乐设施。
将加强运作系统的自动化，以提高工友的生产力。”
新建的白沙乐怡度假村客房将从目前的360间增加至近400间。度假
建造新度假村的动土仪式在原有的主题公园（Escape Theme Park）
村的主楼高六层，其余三栋能满足不同的住客需求，其双人房的面积比
进行。职总秘书长兼职总俱乐部管理委员会主席林瑞生、各工会领袖、
现有的大35%。
协会代表、职总社会企业和巴西立东社区等代表也出席了这项仪式。
The Labour Movement, Now Closer To U On The Go!
MyNTUC手机应用程式：内容包括职总最新消息、优惠、参与商家等！
iPhone及iPad
22 Mar.indd 16
Android
21/3/13 6:03 PM