TL;DR – Are you a Private Hire, Bus or Delivery Driver? Here are some things you need to know about NTUC’s $4.28 million support package.
The vulnerability of the private hire, bus and delivery drivers in Singapore have recently come under the spotlight again after Phase 2 restrictions have hindered our activities around the island.
With minimal to zero dine-ins, restrictions on social gatherings, there has been a decline in bookings during the course of the pandemic. Basically commonfolk like you and I don’t need to commute everywhere and thus don’t see the need to Grab as often as we used to.
To combat this, NTUC’s Secretary-General, Ng Chee Meng recently shared in a Facebook post, that the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) will roll out a $4.28 million package to provide support to combi bus and limousine drivers who are members of the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and delivery drivers and riders who are members of the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA).
This new relief scheme, known as the NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme, is expected to benefit about 13,000 drivers and riders as it seeks to help cushion the impact of the fall in ridership volumes and increased petrol duties, as a result of the pandemic.
While acknowledging that many freelance drivers and riders whose livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic are still facing tough times, Labour MP Yeo Wan Ling said in a Facebook post that the NPHVA and NDCA will continue to engage drivers and riders and provide them with the necessary support.
How much money are we talking about?
Eligible members can expect the following payouts, breakdown as follows;
How do I know if I am eligible for it?
To benefit from the scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria;
- A registered member with the NPHVA and NDCA
- Must have been making most of his/her income from work as a freelance combi bus, limousine or delivery driver/rider, earlier than 31 March 2021;
- Not a recipient of the Covid Driver Relief Fund (CDRF);
- For combi bus (maximum 13-seater) or limousine driver – Is a paid-up NPHVA member and must be holding a valid vocational license; and
- For delivery driver or rider – Is a paid-up NDCA member and must be using a petrol-based vehicle
To apply for this grant, individuals are required to provide supporting documents such as;
- Proof of trade income
- Proof of vehicle type
- Proof of work activity and self-employed status
How do I apply for it?
Eligible NPHVA and NDCA members can apply from 21 June 2021 to 16 July 2021 through the following methods;
- Apply online at http://ufse.org.sg/reliefscheme; or
- In-person at the pop-up centre located at Begonia Terrace at Downtown East
Those who wish to submit their applications in person will have to book an appointment slot before going down.
I’m not a member… Does that mean that I can’t apply?
Fret not. It is super easy to become a member of the NPHVA or NDCA! Simply head down to this portal to sign up for a union membership. Unions help to protect you when you find yourself stuck in a bad situation.
If you still need a lil’ convincing, full list of perks here.