Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp) launched the Sembcorp Energy for Good Fund. The initiative aims to support community development with an initial injection of S$1.5 million by the Group. This year, over S$1 million will be used to provide relief to the social sector and migrant workers – to ensure these support pillars of the community can continue to deliver essential services amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Fund will also show appreciation to essential workers in the energy, water, waste and environmental services.
In partnership with The Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), a portion of the Fund will be used to help smaller charities with limited reserves defray their operating costs. The Fund will provide grants totalling S$350,000 to 35 eligible charities (see Annex). This will enable them to continue serving vulnerable individuals and groups in the community. Each S$10,000 grant will help to cover the charity’s utilities expenses for between six and 12 months on average, depending on usage.
Sembcorp and CFS have also provided mobile phone SIM card top ups to approximately 20,000 migrant workers, to help them stay connected with their loved ones back home.
In addition, to express solidarity with essential workers in the energy, water, waste and environmental services in Singapore, Sembcorp is partnering the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to disburse S$500,000 to these workers who have courageously continued serving the community amid the pandemic. Approximately 2,500 eligible union members* will each receive a one-time S$200 token of appreciation in cash.
The Fund was launched in conjunction with the start of the company’s annual Sembcorp Gives Back Week, a global employee-led volunteering initiative. A month-long internal fundraising campaign in Singapore will also begin today. The Sembcorp Energy for Good Fund will match staff donations dollar-for-dollar, with a total target of S$100,000. 100% of donations will go towards the CFS Sayang Sayang Fund, a fund driven by the community to support vulnerable groups adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Catherine Loh, CEO of The Community Foundation of Singapore, said “Many charities are seeing increased demand for their services and are working tirelessly to provide assistance to a growing number of people coming forward to seek help. We are glad to see the Sembcorp Energy for Good Fund lend a helping hand to charities – especially when they need it the most. We are proud to partner Sembcorp and NTUC to strengthen Singapore’s social compact and our society’s cohesion, especially now when our shared success can only come from solidarity.”
Fahmi Aliman, Director of Operations and Mobilisation Division Secretariat of NTUC, said “In this time of national crisis, it is extremely generous of Sembcorp to extend a token of appreciation to our essential services workers in the energy, water, waste and environmental services. This show of support is in line with NTUC’s call for employers and society at large to recognise the hard work of such workers who have gone beyond their call of duty to keep the nation running amidst the pandemic. Such efforts exemplify the spirit of one united Singapore.”
“At Sembcorp, sustainability is our business. As we deliver essential services, we also want to do good for our people and communities. The Sembcorp Energy for Good Fund builds on this commitment. The Fund will support smaller charities with their utilities expenses, to help defray their operating costs. We also want to show our appreciation to workers who have helped keep our nation running smoothly. My sincere thanks to our partners CFS and NTUC for their support in this effort.” said Wong Kim Yin, Group President & CEO of Sembcorp Industries.
The Sembcorp Energy for Good Fund is part of ongoing efforts by the Group to support the communities we serve, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, Sembcorp provided rebates to residential, commercial and industrial customers in Singapore earlier this year. Sembcorp also donated medical supplies, disinfection services, meals and other essentials to affected communities in China, India, the UK, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Oman, and the UAE.
