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Written Answer by Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister for Manpower to Parliamentary Question on Employers' Obligations to Offer Insurance and Medical Coverage for Female Employees in response to Zika Virus Threat

Workplace safety and health

Notice Paper no. 274 of 2016 for the sitting on or after 10 October 2016

Question no. 457 for oral answer

MP: Ms K Thanaletchimi

To ask the Minister for Manpower given the global nature of businesses and the Zika virus threat, whether the Government finds it necessary to raise awareness of employers' obligations and enable them to put in place response measures such as medical coverage, paid leave and insurance for the protection of female employees.

Answer

  1. The global nature of some businesses today may require more frequent travel, resulting in employees being more exposed to external health risks, such as the Zika virus. To raise employers’ awareness about their obligations with regard to these health risks, we have issued advisories in the past for the pandemic influenza H1N1 and MERS-CoV to help employers take appropriate measures.
  2. These advisories covered employers’ obligations in three broad areas. First, pre-travel. Employers should regularly check the Ministry of Health’s website for the latest updates on affected countries, and take reference from advisories issued by MOH when deciding on business travel plans.
  3. Second, if travel to affected countries is unavoidable, employers should advise employees to take the necessary precautions as per MOH’s advisories.
  4. Third, if employees are found to be infected upon return, employers are required to provide them paid sick leave in accordance with the Employment Act, and extend appropriate medical coverage and insurance, as stipulated under their employment contracts or collective agreements.
  5. These obligations for post-travel also apply for local transmission of Zika. MOM recently issued advisories to employers and dormitory operators on measures to limit the spread of the Zika virus. They provide guidance for managing pregnant employees and employees suspected of infection. MOM is also working closely with relevant agencies to step up checks on worksites and dormitories.
  6. Everyone - workers, employers and dormitory operators - has to play his part to help minimise local transmission of Zika.