MOM aligns reporting and compensation requirements under Workplace Safety and Health Act 2006 and Work Injury Compensation Act 2016

29 October 2025

On 30 September 2025, the Ministry for Manpower (“MOM”) announced it will update and align the list of occupational diseases (“ODs”) under the Workplace Safety and Health Act 2006 (“WSHA”) and Work Injury Compensation Act 2019 (“WICA”) with effect from 1 December 2025. ODs, while less visible than accidents, can have significant impact on workers’ quality of life. The revised list will strengthen protection for workers and provide clearer guidance for employers by aligning reporting and compensation requirements under the WSHA and WICA.

Updated list of ODs

The top ODs in H1 2025 were noise-induced deafness (60% of cases), work-related musculoskeletal disorders (26%), and occupational skin diseases (10%). Increased awareness of OD through MOM’s engagement and enforcement efforts have contributed to improved detection and management of OD in recent years.

To strengthen protection for workers and improve clarity for employers, MOM will update and align the OD lists under the WSHA and WICA based on the latest medical evidence and international practice. From 1 December 2025, the same list of 38 ODs will be reportable under WSHA and compensable under WICA. Key changes include the coverage of work-related musculoskeletal disorders beyond those affecting the upper limbs, and broader recognition of occupational infectious diseases for workers in high-risk settings.

The revised list of ODs can be found in the MOM press release published on 30 September 2025.

Reference materials

The press release are available on the MOM website www.mom.gov.sg. Further information can be found on this webpage on MOM’s website.