MOM announces higher work injury compensation limits
28 February 2024
On 8 February 2024, the Ministry for Manpower (“MOM”) announced revisions to the compensation limits in the Work Injury Compensation Act 2019 (“WICA”) with effect from 1 November 2025. The changes are to keep pace with wage growth and rising healthcare costs. The compensation limits were last reviewed in 2020. The increase in compensation limits will enhance protection for employees.
Among other changes, the compensation limits for death and permanent incapacity will increase by about 19% to S$269,000 and to S$346,000 respectively. The compensation limit for medical expenses will increase by 17% to S$53,000. Further details of the revised compensation limits are set out in the following table:
|
Types |
Limits |
Current Limits |
New Limits |
|
Death |
Maximum |
S$225,000 |
S$269,000 |
|
Minimum |
S$76,000 |
S$91,000 |
|
|
Permanent incapacity |
Maximum |
S$289,000 |
S$346,000 |
|
Minimum |
S$97,000 |
S$116,000 |
|
|
Medical expenses |
- |
S$45,000 or medical expenses incurred up to one year from the date of the accident, whichever is reached first |
S$53,000 or medical expenses incurred up to one year from the date of the accident, whichever is reached first |
WICA covers any local or foreign employee who is under a contract of service or contract of apprenticeship, regardless of salary, age or citizenship. WICA protects employees suffering work-related injuries or diseases and enables them to make claims in an efficient and low-cost manner, as they do not have to file a civil suit under common law. It provides for compensation regardless of the party at fault.
More details on WICA can be found on the MOM website at this page: What is the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA).
Reference materials
The press release is available on the MOM website www.mom.gov.sg.