NTUC U SME Partners Merchants Associations to Strengthen Support for Businesses, Workers, and the Community

The National Trades Union Congress’ (NTUC) U Small and Medium Enterprises (U SME) today signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with two organisations – The Federation of Merchants’ Associations, Singapore (FMAS) and Punggol Shore Merchants Association (PSMA) – to strengthen support for businesses, workers, and the community.

The MOU signing ceremony took place at Punggol Plaza as part of Punggol Shore Constituency’s National Day Fiesta. The event was graced by Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, and Adviser to Pasir Ris-Punggol Grassroot Organisations (GROs) Mr Teo Chee Hean. Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information & Health and Adviser to Pasir Ris-Punggol GROs Dr Janil Puthucheary as well as Adviser to Pasir Ris-Punggol GROs Ms Yeo Wan Ling were also present at the event.

NTUC Deputy Director of U SME Mr David Lim said, “We are delighted to partner with The Federation of Merchants’ Associations, Singapore and Punggol Shore Merchants’ Association to strengthen business and workforce transformation. We look forward to extending assistance to merchants through NTUC’s ecosystem so that the lives of their workers and the larger community they serve can be improved.”

Strengthening Support for Businesses

The partnership with FMAS will see collaboration between U SME and all merchant associations affiliated with FMAS, starting with PSMA. Merchants will be able to leverage NTUC’s network of affiliated unions and associations, as well as tripartite partners with a range of services and resources, to support their businesses and transform their workforce. U SME will help merchants to achieve workplace protection for their workers; progression opportunities for their workers through training and development; placement programmes to recruit new talent; as well as privileges to offer competitive staff welfare benefits.


Strengthening Support for Workers

Under the MOU, merchants will provide their workers with access to NTUC’s suite of union membership benefits¹. These benefits aim to support the needs of workers at work and in life, including many Punggol Shore residents who are workers of companies affiliated with FMAS and PSMA.

Key benefits include funding support for learning and development opportunities through NTUC’s Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)² , which defrays the cost of training for upskilling; NTUC GIFT Group Term Life Insurance with coverage of up to $40,000; as well as special rates for health and medical-related services.

On top of these benefits, U SME will work closely with FMAS and PSMA to create job opportunities with flexible work arrangements. These roles aim to encourage individuals, especially women outside of the workforce, to return to work and fulfil their career aspirations, while ensuring that the manpower needs of small businesses in the community are met.


Strengthening Support for the Community

Through the formation of the PSMA, we aim to foster a stronger sense of community by bringing residents and local businesses closer together. The merchants will work closely to provide more support to residents in the community. For example, in light of the rising cost of living, the coffeeshops in Punggol Shore came together to provide affordable budget meals for residents. PSMA has also committed $10,000 to help the lower-income residents in Punggol Shore.

Besides merchants in Punggol Shore, PSMA also aims to bring together more than 200 home-based businesses in the constituency to create opportunities for them to expand their reach. The MOU with U SME will benefit them as they can leverage collective resources and expertise, which can help them to upskill their workers and upsize their businesses.

MOU Signing Ceremony

The MOU between U SME and FMAS was signed by Mr David Lim, Deputy Director of NTUC U SME and Mr Lim Hai Teck, Honorary Secretary of FMAS.

The MOU between U SME and PSMA was signed by Mr David Lim and Mr Pang Lim, Chairperson of PSMA.

==========================================
¹More information on the comprehensive suite of benefits available here.
²NTUC members can tap on more than 6,000 training courses and enjoy course fee support under NTUC’s Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP). NTUC members will enjoy up to $250 of course fee support per year. Those aged 40 and above will get increased funding support of up to $500 per year