SINGAPORE - The labour movement has disbursed more than $8.89 million to low-income union members and families this year through various assistance programmes.

Giving a year-end report card on its U Care Fund on Saturday, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) said that $3.08 million has been given to help 34,000 families, through discount vouchers to help them buy daily necessities, and family bonding carnivals.

Another $4.76 million also went to support more than 35,000 needy children through vouchers, co-funded bursaries, and literacy programmes.

More than $1 million was also devoted to other programmes to help the elderly and underprivileged.

Since the NTUC U Care Fund started five years ago, it has disbursed more than $67 million has been disbursed.