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Written Answer by Mrs Josephine Teo Minister for Manpower to PQ on Review of Medical Insurance Coverage for Work Permit Holders

Foreign manpower Work passes and permits

NOTICE PAPER NO. 187 OF 2020 FOR THE SITTING ON 4 JANUARY 2021

QUESTION NO. 461 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Murali Pillai

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) whether there is an increasing trend of employers of work permit holders being required to pay medical bills above what will be covered under their work permit holders’ insurance policies; and (b) if so, whether the Ministry intends to increase the current medical insurance coverage of at least $15,000 per year.

Answer:

  1. About 95% of all hospitalisation bills incurred by Work Permit and S Pass holders fall below $15,000, the current minimum medical insurance coverage required of their employers. This has been so for the past three years.
  2. As outlined in MOM’s Addendum to the President’s Address, we are developing an insurance programme to help employers manage unexpected large medical expenses of their migrant workers. Although this may mean higher premiums, it will also give employers greater peace of mind. We aim to keep the cost impact manageable for employers and will provide an update in due course.