Singapore National Co-operative Federation explained
The Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) is a body of co-operative movements in Singapore. It was formed in September 1980.[1] It is a member of several global co-operative bodies such as the International Co-operative Alliance, the World Council of Credit Unions, and the Association of Asian Confederation of Credit Unions.
History of the co-operative movement in Singapore
The cooperative concept was brought to Singapore by the British colonial authorities. After the First World War when prices of food and other essentials escalated, many civil servants resorted to borrowing from moneylenders who charged very high interest rates.[2] In response to these circumstances, the British colonial authorities decided to pass the Straits Settlement Co-operative Societies Ordinance on 3 November 1924.[3] After this ordinance was passed, 43 thrift and loan societies were formed in just 15 years, between 1925 and 1940.[4]
On 16 November 1933, the Singapore Urban Co-operative Union Ltd was registered to serve as a coordinating body for the thrifts and loans societies.[5] This body was renamed the Singapore Co-operative Union Ltd in July 1954,[6] and became the Singapore National Co-operative Union Ltd in May 1972.[7]
In September 1980, the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) was formed.[8] Thereafter in 1982, the union was renamed the Singapore Amalgamated Services Co-operative Organisation Ltd (SASCO) which functioned as a secondary co-operative focusing on welfare issues.[9]
Notes and References
- Web site: Co-operative Societies Ordinance is passed - Singapore History. 2022-01-21. eresources.nlb.gov.sg.
- http://www.mot.gov.sg/News-Centre/News/2006/Speech-By-Mr-Raymond-Lim-At-The-Singapore-National-Co-Operative-Federation-s-25th-Anniversary-Reception-on-30-June-2006/
- Straits Settlements. "Straits Settlements Government Gazette" (1858–1942). (5 December 1924). Ordinance No 21 of 1924 – Cooperative Societies (No 2134, p. 1742) [Microfilm: NL 1221– NL 1223]. Singapore: Mission Press.
- Daniel, R. O. (1987). "Co-operative societies in Singapore" 1925–1985 (pp. 4–8). Singapore: Singapore National Co-operative Federation. Call no.: RSING 334.095957 DAN.
- Daniel, 1987, p. 25; Singapore Co-operative Union. (1958). "Silver jubilee souvenir on the Singapore co-op movement" (p. 12). [Singapore]: Singapore Co-operative Union. Call no.: RCLOS 334.095951 SIN; Co-operation in Singapore. (11 September 1929). "The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertise" (1884–1942), p. 11; Singapore co-operative societies union meeting. (26 February 1932). "The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser" (1884–1942), p.14; Co-operation movement in Singapore. (23 January 1932). "The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser" (1884–1942), p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. [By 1929, The Singapore Co-operative Union had been provisionally formed, with the post of Hon. Secretary already active since 1931. The provisional members were elected in 1932.]
- Daniel, 1987, p. 97.
- Singapore National Co-operation Union Limited. (1972). "By-Laws of the Singapore National Co-operative Union Limited: By-laws revised & registered on 20th May 1972" (p. 1). Retrieved 2 August 2013, from BookSG.
- Co-operative apex registered. (1981, January). "The Co-operator", 24, 1. Call no.: RSING 334.095957 C, no 1 – 25, 1974–1981; 20 co-op bodies get together to form apex organisation. (18 June 1980). "The Straits Times", p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
- SNCU changes its name to SASCO. (1982, April). "The Co-operator", 2, 4. Singapore: Singapore National Co-operative Union. Call no.: RSING 334.095957 C1981-1993.
