NTUC FairPrice to raise $1 million for low-income workers
Senior technician Mohamed Hairi is the sole breadwinner for his family of eight, which includes four boys aged between 10 and 22 and his elderly parent-in-laws.
His wife Haryati Ibrahim is unable to work because she needs to watch over their 16-year-old son, who was diagnosed with epilepsy last year.
Hairi also found out that year that his kidneys were failing and he would require thrice-weekly dialysis.
The NTUC-U Care Fund "really lessened my burden", said Hairi. His monthly salary is $2,500, about $1,000 less after his kidney failure was uncovered and he could not work overtime for more pay.
His family, who have been recipients of the Fund since it started in 2009, get an $80 voucher annually that they use for groceries and $250 in total for the two schooling children's expenses such as tuition and school books.
To help more such families, NTUC FairPrice and NTUC-U Care Fund launched a campaign on Wednesday to raise $1 million to help low-income workers cope with the rising cost of living.
Under the campaign "Breadwinners -- We Care, U Care", NTUC Foundation will donate $5 for every loaf of FairPrice house brand bread sold.
Chief executive (Singapore) of NTUC FairPrice Seah Kian Peng said, "We understand that with the rising cost of living, breadwinners, especially those of low income families will need more support in providing for their families. As part of the NTUC family, we want to help low-income workers cope with the rising cost of living."
The $1 million to be raised is part of the Fund's $10 million fund-raising target for 2011. So far, $8.3 million has been raised. The Fund, which helps over 100,000 workers annually, aims to help 130,000 people this year.
The campaign will run until 5 July.
