~ Details of the programme was announced at the International Women’s Day Celebrations jointly organised by NTUC U Women and Family (WAF) and the People’s Action Party (PAP) Women’s Wing with more than 1,000 participants~
In line with National Trades Union Congress (NTUC)’s mission to improve the lives and livelihoods of workers, NTUC-U Care Fund has developed a new programme to help alleviate cost-of-living and other financial pressures faced by caregivers. The new NTUC Care Fund (Caregiver Support) programme would support two groups of lower-income caregivers: caregivers with children with special needs, and single parents with young children and elderly dependents. Announced in November 2024, a total of $5.4 million was set aside for the next three years (from 2025 to 2027) to fund this new programme and help over 4,000 beneficiaries yearly. The new programme will be available for application from Mid-April 2025 via the OneCare system. More details of the new programme can be found in Annex A and will be shared via this website .
The NTUC Care Fund (Caregiver Support) programme was developed in response to ground feedback received through NTUC’s #EveryWorkerMatters Conversations, which revealed balancing work and caregiving as a key concern for workers1 . This is also in line with recommendations highlighted in the Take Action for Women in Singapore joint paper by the PAP Women’s Wing and Young PAP, which advocated for greater caregiver support.
The rolling out of the new programme was made by NTUC Secretary-General (SG) Ng Chee Meng at the International Women’s Day Celebrations jointly organised by NTUC U Women and Family (U WAF) and the People’s Action Party (PAP) Women’s Wing. Also present at the event was PAP Women’s Wing Chairperson and Senior Minister of State Sim Ann.
NTUC SG Ng Chee Meng said, “NTUC is committed to supporting workers from all walks of life in Singapore. We understand the challenges faced by caregivers who juggle their caregiving responsibilities with their professional duties. Through the NTUC Care Fund (Caregiver Support), we want to lighten their load and provide meaningful support to help them better balance work and caregiving. By uplifting caregivers, we are supporting individuals and strengthening families to build a more inclusive society.”
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and Director of NTUC U WAF Yeo Wan Ling said, “Caregivers, especially women, often bear the dual responsibility of caring for their loved ones while pursuing their careers. This NTUC Care Fund (Caregiver Support) is part of NTUC’s continued efforts to strengthen the caregiving ecosystem, empowering caregivers to thrive both at home and at work. As we celebrate International Women’s Day with the PAP Women’s Wing, we reaffirm our commitment to uplifting women and caregivers, ensuring they have the support needed to lead fulfilling careers and lives. NTUC will continue supporting caregivers and provide resources that ease caregiving duties.”
PAP Women’s Wing Chairperson Sim Ann said, “As PAP Women’s Wing celebrates IWD and reflect on 60 years of women's development, we will strengthen our partnerships with the community, engaging both women and men, to address issues close to women's hearts. In particular, we are proud to partner NTUC, whose views and advocacy on caregiving are closely aligned with ours.”
To-Gather: Power of Women – Empowering Women to be Bright, Brave, Bold
In conjunction with International Women’s Day (IWD), NTUC U WAF and the PAP Women’s Wing jointly organised the International Women’s Day Celebrations today. The celebrations kicked off with an IWD Walk from Gardens by the Bay to NTUC Centre with over 1,000 union leaders, U WAF partners, PAP Women’s Wing members, and their families and friends. Following the walk, participants were also provided with resources and programmes for women and caregivers by women organisations, and enjoyed family friendly activities and refreshments at the partner booths at NTUC Centre.
The celebrations also featured a panel discussion with Ms Chan Hui Yuh, Branch Chairperson of PAP Serangoon Branch, and Members of Parliament Dr Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar GRC), and Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang SMC). Moderated by NTUC ASG and Director of NTUC U WAF Yeo Wan Ling, who is also the PAP Women’s Wing IWD Organising Chairperson, the panel discussed how everyone – both men and women – can take action to empower and nurture women, enabling them to thrive.
At the end of the event, a SHE Supports Friendship Circles session, a group mentorship programme launched by NTUC U WAF and SG Her Empowerment (SHE), was also held. The session focused on strategies for processing information and developing self-leadership skills to overcome self-doubt and fear. More Friendship Circles will be held during March, more details will be made available here.
[1] #EveryWorkerMatters Conversations: Our Workers’ Compact Report.
