Businesses and workplace establishments in Singapore have a responsibility for theirworkers’ health and well-being. The importance of providing medical benefits and entitlements is stated in Singapore’s Employment Act.
The funds for medical benefits come from the employee’s salary – businesses are required to make contributions to CPF of 17% of the employee’s salaries, and it helps to cover large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer.
Employers are required to provide entitlements and healthcare benefits to their employees.
Read below to find out the medical benefits employees are entitled to in Singapore.
Sick Leave and Hospitalization Leave
The Employment Act of Singapore states that employees who have worked for at least 3 months are required to get paid sick and hospitalization leave on an annual basis. The hospitalization leave is to be verified by a medical practitioner.
Singaporean employees get up to 2 weeks of paid sick leave each year if hospitalization isn’t necessary. If hospitalization is needed, employees get 60 days of paid leave each year, including sick leave.
Stay-Home Leave
The Employment Act states that an employee is allowed to rest at home and be counted as being hospitalized. However, the stay-home leave has to be certified by an approved public medical institute.
Fees Reimbursement for Medical Consultation
For any employee that has worked for at least 3 months, employers have to reimburse the medical consultation fees. Government or company-verified doctors, dentists, and specialists qualify. The employer must bear the cost of the medical consultation fee even if the employee falls sick during public holidays, annual leave, rest days, or non-working days.
Paid Time-Off for Medical Appointments
The Ministry of Manpower states that employers are encouraged to be flexible in providing paid time off if an employee has to visit the doctor for important medical appointments. The employee should inform their supervisor in advance to accommodate the work schedule.
Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA)
Contract-based employees and foreign workers are covered under the WICA. If an employee suffers an injury or gets infected with a disease as a result of the job, then the employer is liable to face all monetary damage. The act protects employees even if they stop working for you, if the work is canceled, and if an accident happens during an official foreign visit. The employer is entitled to provide medical leave wages, cover the medical expenses, and also offer compensation for permanent incapacity or even death.
