SINGAPORE: It's a little known initiative - Singapore's labour movement is slowly making inroads to woo younger members and they have not even entered the workforce yet.

It's all part of the NTUC's vision to become a labour movement for all workers, in all sectors and across all age groups, even those who are still schooling.

For most youths, it is hardly surprising that their perception of NTUC is either of a supermarket or an insurance company.

This is exactly the perception that NTUC wants to change, with the launch a year ago of a club called Nebo which is targeted at 12- to 21-year-olds.

Full-time students up till age 25 are also eligible.

Since its launch, Nebo has attracted 15,500 members who pay anything from about $30 to $90 in subscription fees.

And to cater to its young members, NTUC Club has set up two clubhouses called Nebocity. One is at Ang Mo Kio Hub, the other at the E!Hub at Downtown East.

The one at E!Hub has amenities like a cafe, free Internet, a gaming zone and a cinema.

But more than just simply reeling them in with freebies and discounts on youth related products and services, Club Nebo has a more lofty aim.

Josephine Teo, NTUC's Assistant Secretary-General and director for NTUC Youth Development Unit, said they want to avoid giving youths the feeling that they are being preached to.

"What's more important is that they understand what is it that we seek to do in terms of creating a more better and meaningful life for people working in Singapore.

"What is more important to us is the emotional engagement that they can derive from being involved in Nebo. We want them to feel that kind of connection, we want them to share our enthusiasm. We want them to share our passion for the labour movement and that counts for a lot more," she added.

And it seems that the soft approach may be reaping some results.

19-year-old student Millicent Koh Lingxi said: "I found that NTUC is much more diverse than I thought it was. It actually gave me much more experience in working."

Echoing Millicent's views is Wayne Tay Khin Siang, a 25-year-old student.

"It's very important for young people to know NTUC because they are able to provide good working environment, they are able to help you to have working benefits, better benefits to prepare us for the new knowledge based economy."

Over the past year, NTUC Club has organised more than 30 events, reaching out to over 70,000 youths through a wide range of activities. One of the biggest, involving some 2,500 youths, was an island-wide race where participants were made to handle tasks aimed at raising awareness on the labour movement.

Club Nebo expects to engage more tertiary institutions to partner like-minded youth organisations. NTUC Club hopes to expand Nebo membership to 20,000 by year's end.

NTUC's membership now stands at about 520,000, of which about one-third are under the age of 35 and come under the ambit of Young NTUC.

-CNA/jk