MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOR FOREIGN WORKERS

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh asked the Minister for Manpower whether all foreign workers are required to undergo a medical examination, including HIV test, before an employment status is granted; and whether employers can legitimately terminate the services of their local and foreign employees who are subsequently found to be HIV positive.

Dr Lee Boon Yang: All work permit holders have been required to undergo and pass a general medical examination since 1972. Over the years, the medical examination has been extended to cover medical screening of contagious illnesses such as TB, malaria and HIV. The requirement for work permit holders to undergo the HIV test was imposed in 1993. Foreign workers who fail their medical examination including the HIV test will not be issued with a work permit and they will have to be repatriated by their employers. Work permit holders who wish to renew their work permits are also required to undergo and pass the HIV test and a chest X-ray examination.

Since March this year, my Ministry has extended the medical examination requirement to foreigners who have obtained an in-principle approval for an employment pass of six months' duration or more. The medical examination for employment pass holders includes the HIV test as well. Employment pass holders are also required to pass the medical examination before their passes can be renewed.

On the question of an employee who has contracted HIV, the employer may terminate his employment due to ill-health and inability to perform his duties. However, the employer should deal with the termination sympathetically and consider granting some form of financial relief to assist the employee.