Koperasi Cuepacs was formed in 1971 to undertake projects and activities that would assist public sector workers. After 38 years of hard work particularly meeting the housing needs sought by members, Koperasi is now best placed to undertake a host of services.

Koperasi members who invested in the Koperasi besides having benefited from services rendered are also experiencing steady returns from the Koperasi. Lately Koperasi has added agricultural products and is studying needs and opportunities to expand its services in other such areas.

The needs of the public sector workers have also changed from yesteryears. Once house ownership was the most urgent need for them. That was met and now the demands are for choice sites and not just housing.

Generally public sector workers monthly spent, earn and pay. As such they needed small loans to finance their social obligation or for down payments now and then. With that culture continuing, the Koperasi looks forward to meet their need at the same time encourage them to change their spending style. So we are persuading them to save first before spending. We have developed schemes and make this possible.

Public sector unions play and important and integral part in ensuring that their members have purchasing power to lead a decent life. They struggle to improve their wages to ensure purchasing power of their members remains steady and improves so that they could raise their standard of living.

Workers need to foster stronger solidarity and apply their strength to secure such demands. Unions could only do this with continuous trade union education for the grass roots. Union leaders should be also equally exposed to economic aspects through higher education programmes to have a complete outlook. These are all integral part of union building. That will also strengthen workers based cooperative movement.

Koperasi CUEPACS looks forward to renewal of the old efforts to support and work with unions through education programmes to reach such levels of achievement. Koperasi will enroll expertise to introduce workers economy to union leaders. And much more where such is sought.

Koperasi CUEPACS will work with unions to build houses of their choices in sites where there is demand and support. Above all, Koperasi Cuepacs aspires to be useful cooperative for service delivery to workers needs and not be viewed as profit oriented. Of course those who invest in the cooperative expect returns and that is already being met and will continue to be met with balanced approach.

Albert Ponniah
Chairman