NTUC launches relief scheme for injured freelance point-to-point driver and delivery members

Freelance point-to-point and delivery workers who find themselves injured while on the job can soon expect more assistance in the form of NTUC FairPrice vouchers.

NTUC and its affiliated associations announced the launch of a new NTUC Care Fund (Work Injury Relief) scheme on 6 December 2023.

These associations include the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA), National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and National Taxi Association (NTA).

The scheme will provide eligible members of the associations with $250 worth of NTUC FairPrice vouchers within three days of their successful application.

NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng shared that when freelance point-to-point and delivery workers come into hardship at work, their most immediate concern is usually if they can continue working and earning.

“For those who sustain injuries and find it difficult or unable to continue working, this becomes even more worrying. This is where NTUC has leveraged our collective strength, pooling together a care fund that is specifically targeted for workers in such dire situations,” he said.

Applications for the NTUC Care Fund (Work Injury Relief) scheme open on 15 January 2024.

Eligibility criteria

The scheme can be applied through the workers’ respective associations.

Applications are open to members who have been prescribed medical or hospitalisation leave for a continuous period of five days or more from a single doctor visit.

The applications must be submitted within two weeks from the issue date of medical or hospitalisation leave, or two weeks after being discharged from the hospital.

However, the medical or hospitalisation leave cannot be more than two weeks from the injury date.

Members are also required to submit proof of accident, work and earnings for the period of the mishap.

Mr Ng added: “Our affiliated associations will strive to disburse the relief within three days of applications, and we hope this will go some way in providing immediate relief to affected members while they focus on their recovery.”

Coming together to provide immediate relief

To date, there are no financial assistance schemes that are specifically targeted for taxi drivers, private hire drivers and freelance delivery workers who are injured while performing their duties.

As freelancers, they are also not covered under the Workplace Injury Compensation Act.

The NTUC Care Fund (Work Injury Relief) scheme is meant to provide crucial quick short-term relief for affected workers as they await the outcomes of their government/community assistance programmes or insurance claims.

When accidents occur, these workers may turn to existing assistance programmes offered by the Government or community organisations or proceed to make personal accident insurance claims.

NDCA, NPHVA and NTA each have contributed $20,000 to this scheme. Coupled with a one-to-one matching by NTUC-U Care Fund, a total of $120,000 has been committed to aid these freelance point-to-point and delivery workers.

NTUC and the associations will review the programme by mid-2024.