16,000 benefits traning!

Some 16,000 low-wage workers (LWWs) have benefited from the Workfare Training Support scheme since it was introduced in July. This includes LWWs given the Training Commitment Award for completing their training since July last year. About $3.2 million has been disbursed, the Manpower Ministry disclosed after Member of Parliament Halimah Yacob (Jurong) sought updates. The majority of beneficiaries are aged from 40 to 59. There are more females than males, and most have up to secondary education. About 1,500 workers have enrolled in Workfare-Skill Up, which includes motivational workshops to help LWWs overcome training barriers, while other courses LWWs attend include employability skills, food and beverage, service excellence and generic manufacturing programmes. The scheme complements the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme, which had 317,000 beneficiaries last year. But another 18,000 self-employed persons did not receive their WIS, as they have yet to make their Medisave contributions. They have until Dec 31 next year to do so, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong said in a written reply to Non-Constituency MP Sylvia Lim. ESTHER NG