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The grant has two tiers of funding for the provision of proper and reasonable rest areas for essential services workers.
Birthed from Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Workcare pilot study on supporting the wellbeing of essential services workers, a S$1mn Workcare Grant provides employers funding support to create new or improve existing rest areas for their crew of lower-wage workers, such as cleaners, security guards, and more.
Workcare Grant, as announced on MOM’s website, has two tiers of funding for the provision of proper and reasonable rest areas. Which building owners can apply for if they are service buyers with at least 10 outsourced essential services workers.
The first tier is for setting up a new rest area, and the second tier is for making improvements to an existing rest area. In both tiers, eligible employers are entitled to 80% funding of qualifying expenses; with the former tier capped at S$8,000, and the latter capped at S$3,000.
According to MOM’s Workcare pilot study, there are some low-cost and easy-to-implement suggestions that employers can consider enhancing rest areas with:
1. Provide secure personal lockers to store personal belongings safely;
2. Allow workers to customise their rest areas to instill a sense of belonging;
3. Showcase the work and efforts of workers to build a connection between them and residents/tenants, such as through redesigned notices; and
4. Create opportunities for residents and tenants to appreciate the contribution of workers.
The grant could go on to benefit over 2,000 outsourced essential services workers.
Former Minister of Manpower, Josephine Teo said in her Facebook post: “Workers can rest comfortably in private areas fitted with a refrigerator, water cooler, microwave and personal storage lockers. These are simple and practical solutions that help enhance the wellbeing of our outsourced essential services workers.”
Senior Minister of State in the Ministry for Manpower, Zaqy Mohamad, too, chimed in via his socials. He hopes the study findings and grant will encourage building owners, service providers, and service buyers in taking the first step towards providing rest areas for outsourced essential workers.
“This will,” he continued, “complement our ongoing efforts with the industry and community and start ground-up projects to uplift our lower-wage workers.”
The Workcare Grant acts in accordance with the Tripartite Advisory on the Provision of Rest Areas for Outsourced Workers.
Image /Singapore Ministry of Manpower's Facebook
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