
This article was originally published by straightstimes.com and can be viewed in full here
The Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) has set up a $1.1 million care fund to support members in need and their children’s education in case of financial difficulties, unforeseen medical conditions, or even death.
It will also be handing out $1.5 million to shipping companies to increase training and improve welfare for members on board their vessels.
National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general Chan Chun Sing announced the new initiatives at SMOU’s Chinese New Year luncheon yesterday.
The care fund will provide subsidies for transport and assistive devices such as wheelchairs, scooters and prosthetics.
It will also offer caregiver training and bursaries that will allow the children of dead members to continue pursuing their education.
Said SMOU general secretary and NTUC president Mary Liew: “This fund is especially practical with an ageing population. With age, members may be more susceptible to various health problems that may affect their mobility.”
One of the new fund’s beneficiaries will be former marine chief engineer Leo Boon Hui, 77, who has been a wheelchair user since he suffered a stroke nearly 30 years ago.
His wife and sole caregiver, Madam Dan Wah Eng, 76, welcomed the aid. “It’s very good,” said the part-time shop assistant. “Whatever we need, we can ask them for it.”
The union will also be disbursing $1,000 per vessel to shipping companies with which it has a collective bargaining agreement, to ensure seafaring members continue to receive adequate welfare and training despite the uncertain economy.
Mr Chan called upon the shipping community to beat the economic slowdown by forging stronger connectivity between Singapore and the rest of the world.
“For instance, many people are talking about using big data to analyse changes in trade patterns, and start new services and lines of operations to meet tomorrow’s needs,” he said.
“These are also the things we need to do.”


Archive
- January 2021(41)
- December 2020(53)
- November 2020(59)
- October 2020(79)
- September 2020(72)
- August 2020(64)
- July 2020(71)
- June 2020(74)
- May 2020(50)
- April 2020(71)
- March 2020(71)
- February 2020(58)
- January 2020(62)
- December 2019(57)
- November 2019(64)
- October 2019(26)
- September 2019(24)
- August 2019(15)
- July 2019(24)
- June 2019(55)
- May 2019(82)
- April 2019(77)
- March 2019(71)
- February 2019(67)
- January 2019(77)
- December 2018(46)
- November 2018(48)
- October 2018(76)
- September 2018(55)
- August 2018(63)
- July 2018(74)
- June 2018(64)
- May 2018(65)
- April 2018(76)
- March 2018(82)
- February 2018(65)
- January 2018(80)
- December 2017(71)
- November 2017(72)
- October 2017(75)
- September 2017(65)
- August 2017(97)
- July 2017(111)
- June 2017(87)
- May 2017(105)
- April 2017(113)
- March 2017(108)
- February 2017(112)
- January 2017(109)
- December 2016(110)
- November 2016(121)
- October 2016(111)
- September 2016(123)
- August 2016(169)
- July 2016(142)
- June 2016(152)
- May 2016(118)
- April 2016(60)
- March 2016(86)
- February 2016(154)
- January 2016(3)
- December 2015(150)