Singapore’s Public Service Division (PSD) and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) have announced that with effect from 1 January 2016, civil servants will get a day off every year to volunteer at any institution of public character of their choice.

This is to further encourage civil servants to expand their volunteering efforts beyond agency-led initiatives and to support their commitment to volunteerism.

Head of civil service, Peter Ong, said, “A culture of volunteerism is essential for fostering a caring and cohesive society in Singapore. The Public Service is playing our part by supporting and encouraging more public officers to volunteer.

“We believe that the adoption of different charities will allow for sustained commitment among public officers who will build meaningful relationships with their adopted charities.”

Next year, in order to enhance staff volunteerism in all public sector agencies, the PSD will collectively adopt at least 50 charities.

Each ministry will also have a senior officer appointed to champion and sustain volunteerism among the officers in the ministry and its statutory boards.

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