Disbursement of Workcare Grant and Plans to Increase Take-up Rate

Mr Raj Joshua Thomas asked the Minister for Manpower (a) to date, how many companies have taken up the Workcare Grant; (b) how much has been disbursed under the Grant; and (c) whether there any plans to increase the take-up of the Grant.

Since the launch of the Workcare Grant in May 2021, there have been 26 applications, of which five have been approved and the remaining are being assessed. A total of $46,000 were committed to support the five applications to set up or improve seven rest areas, at $3,000 to $8,000 for each rest area. These projects would benefit around 120 outsourced essential services workers.

Most of the grant applications were made from the start of 2022, as some building owners had to delay plans to set up or improve rest areas due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2021, and hence are still being assessed.

NTUC U Care Centre, which administers the Workcare Grant, has conducted engagement sessions, sent direct mailers, and advertised in the media to reach out to more building owners, service buyers and employers of outsourced essential services workers to apply for the Workcare Grant.