More help soon from self-help groups

Campaigns, job fairs and training programmes are planned by ethnic groups here to help affected workers

SINGAPORE'S four ethnic self-help groups are gearing up to help workers and their families affected by the economic downturn.

They will be launching new training programmes, holding job fairs and reviewing their financial assistance programmes, leaders of the groups told the media yesterday.

The four groups are Yayasan Mendaki, the Singapore Indian Development Association (Sinda), the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) and the Eurasian Association.

According to their leaders, the slide in the economy has led to more people turning to them for help.

Since Mendaki launched a helpline in April, it has received 431 calls - 71 per cent of them looking for jobs, while 19 per cent sought financial help. A Sinda spokesman also said that between January and June this year, Sinda had given out 712 bursaries to children from low-income families.

This is almost double the number given out during the same period last year, she said.

Other steps being considered - a waiver on tuition fees for students, subsidising training courses and giving trainees monthly allowances during their course.

Campaigns will also be held to encourage retrenched workers to join the Skills Redevelopment Programme (SRP) so that they can upgrade themselves, while they are out of work.

The groups will also help SRP trainees to find jobs by networking with the the Manpower Ministry, Community Development Councils and employment agencies, said Mr Sam Tan, CDAC's executive director.

He also said that they will be organising exhibitions and job fairs to increase public awareness of the various services available to those in need of help.