NTUC commits S$16m to help members defray food costs amid rising prices

THE labour movement will be committing nearly S$16 million for a slew of initiatives by NTUC Social Enterprises that are designed to help members defray food costs amid rising inflation that last month hit a 10-year high.

Acknowledging growing concerns about the cost of living, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general Ng Chee Meng told reporters during a briefing ahead of May Day that the best way to deal with that is through creating better work prospects for workers that lead to better wages.

But the labour chief also added: "In the meantime, for the immediate pressures we see on the ground, we want to extend some welfare benefits."

One of the initiatives allows NTUC members and NTUC Link members to enjoy 10 per cent savings - in the form of cash and Linkpoints - when they spend at Kopitiam oulets under the NTUC FairPrice Group using the NTUC FairPrice app.

This is expected to benefit 2.4 million members to the tune of S$1 million.

The initiative will be rolled out progressively, with outlets at Jurong Point and Punggol Shore already offering the savings.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

At the same time, members will be able to purchase a cup of hot coffee or tea for 50 cents at all 80 Kopitiam and NTUC Foodfare outlets for the month of May.

From Apr 28 to May 25, 4 selected popular items at its supermarket NTUC FairPrice will be sold at half price in another initiative that is expected to cost S$2.8 million.

The items for the first week are rice, noodles, coffee and toothpaste, Ng said.

An ongoing programme that offers savings at the supermarket to different groups on different days of the week - such as senior citizens and holders of the CHAS Blue card - is expected to cost NTUC S$12 million this year.

"We will continue in our approach, through NTUC FairPrice Group especially, to step up in times of need, and very importantly, to set benchmark prices for daily necessities that afford as much as possible everyday savings," Ng said.

He added that the group, as a social enterprise, faces the same cost pressures as other businesses that are operating in an uncertain environment.

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, NTUC Enterprise announced a S$50 million support package to help SIngaporeans manage cost of living.

The following year, it unveiled a S$20 million package that also helped stretch savings across other areas of needs, such as insurance, health care, education and financial planning.