SOUTH West Community Development Council (CDC) is the first council in Singapore to offer a help package for residents affected by the recent economic downturn, including those from the usually neglected middle-class group.
Retrenched Singaporeans whose monthly household income is $2,500 and below, and are deemed to be in need of help, qualify for the South West CDC's Interim Coping Package for Economic Downturn (iCope).
This is unlike most national financial aid schemes where only those with monthly household incomes of $1,500 and below qualify.
'We want to reach out to more people who may need help,' said Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of the South West District.
'The lower-middle class may face difficulties with mounting bills, but they don't qualify for national help schemes.'
Next year, South West CDC has budgeted $1.5 million - more than treble the amount spent this year - to fund the iCope package for up to 10,000 retrenched workers and poor families.
Its help package combines new initiatives and existing ones. Among the new initiatives are a one-off transport grant of $50, workshops for retrenched workers and an internship scheme.
Some job seekers were apprehensive about switching to a different industry, said Dr Khor, so it is hoped that the internship scheme will give them an understanding of a new industry.
Besides the new initiatives, retrenched workers living in areas such as Jurong and Chua Chu Kang, can also access the CDC's existing help schemes.
These include food rations and vouchers for utilities.
- The Straits Times
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