WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION

WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION

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(Claims and violations): **

31.

Mdm Halimah Yacob asked the Minister for Manpower for the year 2006 (a) how many workmen's compensation claims did the Ministry receive and how long did it take to process the claims; (b) how many of these claims involved foreign workers; and (c) how many employers were prosecuted for violations of the Act.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: In 2006, my Ministry received 16,389 claims for workmen's compensation, of which 56% were filed by foreign workers. Two-thirds of the claims involved minor injuries(2). For such cases, the Ministry will, upon being notified of the accident, direct the employer to pay to the injured worker his medical leave wages and medical expenses.

Where the injury is more serious, the Ministry will make an assessment of the compensation amount, which is based on the permanent incapacity suffered by the worker. This takes on average about five months, including the time for the injury to sufficiently stabilise and for a medical practitioner to determine the extent of the permanent incapacity. This is an improvement from the seven months in 2005. The shorter time is a result of more efficient processes implemented by MOM, including closer collaboration with the hospitals for the timely submission of the medical reports. Upon receipt of the medical report, MOM will notify the worker of the compensation payable to him within two weeks, a reduction from six weeks in 2005.

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Last year, four employers were convicted for violations under the Workmen's Compensation Act. Of the four employers, three failed to purchase valid workmen's compensation insurance for their workers, while one employer failed to notify the Ministry of the accident.

(2) Minor injuries are defined as those that result in 14 or fewer days of medical leave.

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