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NTWU canteens are opening their doors to delivery riders for water refills and rest breaks, while four public transport operators are providing N95 masks to bus and rail workers.
Delivery riders in Singapore can collect free N95 masks at 30 bus interchanges and terminals islandwide, as the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA) and National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) work together to support workers amid the haze.
In a social media post on 13 October, Yeo Wan Ling, Assistant Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), Adviser to NDCA and Executive Secretary of NTWU, shared details of the initiative, which also provides delivery riders with places to rest and refill their drinking water.
NTWU canteens open to delivery riders
For the first time, NTWU canteens at 30 bus interchanges and terminals are serving as collection points for NDCA members to collect free N95 masks, sponsored by Grab and foodpanda.
All delivery riders are welcome to use the canteens to refill their drinking water and take a breather while working.
At five locations, NDCA members can also enjoy coffee and tea at special prices starting from S$0.90. These are Ang Mo Kio, Jurong East, Punggol and Woodlands bus interchanges, as well as Shenton Way Bus Terminal.
ASG Yeo thanked the NTWU canteen operators for supporting the initiative, noting that staying hydrated and getting adequate rest are part of the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) haze advisory.
She also thanked Grab and foodpanda for their support, adding that platform operators can help by reminding riders to rest and hydrate, and by not penalising them for taking slightly longer to complete jobs during this period.
NDCA members can refer to the association’s social media post for the full list of mask collection points and further details.
NDCA encourages rest and hydration
In a separate social media post, NDCA outlined the support available to delivery riders during the haze, including free N95 masks sponsored by Grab and foodpanda, water refill facilities and rest stops at NTWU canteens.
The association also highlighted the special prices for coffee and tea available to its members at the five locations.
NDCA thanked the canteen operators and platform partners for supporting the initiative. It also encouraged members of the public to show appreciation for delivery riders when receiving food or grocery orders.
Public transport operators distribute N95 masks
Separately, NTWU has shared that Go-Ahead Singapore, SBS Transit, SMRT and Tower Transit are making N95 masks available to their bus and rail workers amid the haze.
In its social media post, the union said public transport workers spend long hours outdoors, on roads, at interchanges and along rail lines, making the haze an additional challenge to their work.
NTWU thanked the four operators for working with the union to support workers’ health and wellbeing.
It also urged public transport workers to monitor haze conditions, wear their N95 masks, drink plenty of water, take breaks when possible and look out for one another. Workers who have yet to collect their masks can check with their supervisors or colleagues at their workplaces.
The union also called on commuters to treat public transport workers with respect and dignity.
ALSO READ: Singapore activates haze subsidy scheme from 12 October, with treatment capped at S$10
Lead image / ASG Yeo Wan Ling's Facebook
Infographic / NDCA's Facebook
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