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SINGAPORE: One year on, an initiative that opens up the workplace to children has attracted 40 companies.
"Little Ones@Work", where employees are encouraged to bring their children to work on designated days, was launched to highlight the need for better work-life balance.
The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) programme has now expanded, with a tie-up with the Health Promotion Board, to include promoting healthy eating habits for parent and child.
Even during his school holidays, seven-year-old Ajaypal Singh is busy at work with his dad. It is the first time he has stepped into his father's workplace.
Amarjit Singh, group vice-president at United Test & Assembly Centre (UTAC), has taken time off to play tour guide to his son. He said the programme has helped his son better understand what he does.
Mr Singh said: "My son always asked me what I do at work. It is very difficult unless he comes here physically to see where I work, what I do, what machines are involved in the work I do, how big the organisation is, how big the building, how many people there are - to give him a feel of the work life I engage in."
Mr Singh is one of the 28 workers from UTAC who have brought their children to work.
Since the programme was launched, 1,800 children have been to their parent's workplaces. However, NTUC said small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can do more.
Halimah Yaacob, deputy secretary-general, NTUC said: "The SMEs - they are the biggest provider of jobs; they are the biggest employer, although in small numbers spread all over - some of the obstacles the companies have raised - they said they don't know how to implement, they say it is cost, it is not insurmountable."
NTUC intends to reach out to at least another 150 companies next year to implement the programme
Companies are given a one time grant of S$500 to offset the costs of organising the event.
- CNA/sc
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