SINGAPORE: The number of employees on term contracts went up to 183,000 last year, from 172,000 the year before.

NTUC's Unit for Contract and Casual Workers (UCCW) and the Amalgamated Union of Public Daily Rated Workers are now trying to reach out to help these workers cope with rising costs of living.

Some of the UCCW members received S$80 NTUC FairPrice vouchers at the roadshow in Ang Mo Kio Hub on Sunday.

Assistant cook Mohamed Said Tokijan said: "I'm using them (the vouchers) for... groceries, for whatever needed... No doubt it's a small amount, but it's still good."

NTUC FairPrice Foundation has donated S$170,000 to UCCW and S$50,000 to the Amalgamated Union of Public Daily Rated Workers.

Free health screening, job matching and financial advisory services were also available at the roadshow organised by NTUC. Movie tickets and food court vouchers were given out as added treats.

Through this kind of events, UCCW wants to encourage workers to upgrade their skills.

Zainudin Nordin, UCCW director and MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, said: "We want to show good examples of things that (have) happened - some of the success stories of our workers, who probably... (were) non-believers (when they started off). But now, they've seen through upgrading and training, and through job redesign, their job is better, and they're getting better pay."

He added that these workers are now in a better position to find jobs.

Starting from next month, UCCW members will also enjoy free term life insurance coverage.

A second roadshow will be held in July at Toa Payoh Hub, where another 1125 UCCW members will receive their vouchers. - CNA/ac