Employer's Medical Liability for Foreign Workers in Singapore

In one of my past articles, I talked about minimum employee insurance requirements for employers in Singapore. In a recent case, my client (who is an employer) asked me, “Do I have any other medical liabilities for my employees if I have purchased the mandatory medical insurance set by Ministry of Manpower (MOM)?” For local employees (Singaporean and Singapore PR), and employees holding Employment Pass, the main medical liability for employer is to grant paid medical leave to the employees. It is relatively simple and easy to understand. In this article, we talk about a more complicated category: employer’s medical liability for employees holding Work Permit or S Pass.

Employer Question 1: I have purchased Group Hospitalisation and Surgical Insurance for my employees holding Work Permit or S Pass. If the employee’s actual hospitalisation or surgical expense exceeds the coverage of the insurance, do I have to pay the exceeding amount?

Answer: According to MOM, the employer is liable for the exceeding amount.

Employer Question 2: If the employee holding Work Permit or S Pass went to see outpatient clinics or Accident & Emergency Department due to non-work-related condition, do I have to pay for the expenses?

Answer: According to MOM, the employer is liable for such expenses.

Employer Question 3: If the employee holding Work Permit or S Pass seeks treatment in Singapore for pre-existing medical conditions which he or she already has before the employment, and the treatment is not covered by my group insurance, do I have to pay for such expenses?

Answer: According to MOM, if the pre-existing medical condition was not discovered in the pre-employment medical check-up, the employer is liable for the expenses.

Employer Question 4: When will my liability towards employees holding Work Permit or S Pass end?

Answer: According to MOM, as long as the employee is still in Singapore, the employer is liable for his / her medical expenses. If the employer decides to terminate the employment contract and send the employee back to his / her home country, the employer has to make sure the employee is fit to take a flight at that moment. Otherwise, the employer has to let the employee receive treatment in Singapore until him / her is fit to take a flight.

No matter you are an employer or an employee, if you have any further questions related to this topic, for example, employer wants to know how to reduce the risk in this area, or employee wants to know how to protect your own interest, do feel free to contact me for a discussion.

P.S. I’m Tony, Your one stop trustworthy financial service provider. Find Out More …