NTUC CTC grant boosts wages for nearly 1500 workers across 84 companies

SINGAPORE: A positive development can be seen in the workforce as the NTUC CTC grant boosts wages for nearly 1500 workers across 84 companies set to receive an average wage increase of 5.2%, in addition to their annual increments, as mentioned by The Business Times.

Speaking ahead of the NTUC National Delegates’ Conference 2023, NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng highlighted the impact of these increases, stating, “The bosses are happy, the customers are happy, and most importantly, the workers are happy.” The wage boost is part of the S$70 million NTUC CTC Grant, launched in August 2022, to support companies in implementing transformation projects that enhance productivity and improve employee work prospects, as Young NTUC reported.

The 84 companies benefiting from the grant represent various industries, and the increases are expected to positively impact a diverse group of 1,494 workers. This initiative underscores the collaborative effort between companies and unions to uplift workers and align their skills with the evolving needs of the industry.

Among the success stories is Dr Bags, a home-grown bag-cleaning and restoration company. During a visit to the company’s headquarters, Ng Chee Meng stated, “Companies are using the CTC Grant to improve their business operations and train their workers.” In collaboration with The Singapore Manual and Mercantile Workers’ Union (SMMWU), Dr Bags formed a CTC in February 2023 and embarked on an Operation and Technology Roadmap (OTR) facilitated by NTUC.

Lynn Kee, Co-founder of Dr Bags, expressed the transformative impact of the CTC journey, stating, “These steps have turbocharged our ability to work smarter by integrating digital tools, boosting our productivity, streamlining processes and optimizing our operational efficiency. Recognising the value of our team, especially as a leader in our unique restoration field, we’re thrilled to use the CTC Grant to further develop and uplift our workforce.”

The success stories extend to individual workers like Grace Cheong, who, after struggling with manual processes, now easily navigates the newly implemented Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Grace, a retail sales associate at Dr Bags, shared her experience, “Everything is now so simple, just click, click, click. [With the new ERP], I can now focus more on customer service instead of being tied up in administrative work.”

Similarly, Nur Dian Farisha Ramli, a 19-year-old retail service intern at Dr Bags, underwent a transformative role shift with the help of NTUC and the company’s union. She is now a colouring apprentice, learning the art and skill of restoring leather, with a clear career trajectory within the company.

In summarizing the impact of the CTC Grant, Ng Chee Meng urged more companies to come forward, stating, “NTUC calls on more companies to step forward so that we can work with you to support your business transformations and keep your workers happy.” As of October 31, 2023, over 1,700 CTCs have been formed by NTUC and its affiliated unions, benefitting over 123,000 workers, with a target to form 2,500 CTCs by 2025. /TISG