Written Answer for PQ on Employees denied medical certificates from non-company doctors

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2361 OF 2023 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 07 NOVEMBER 2023
QUESTION NO. 5178 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis

To ask the Minister for Manpower since the amendments to the Employment Act 1968 to give recognition to medical certificates issued by all medical practitioners with effect from April 2019, how many cases have there been where employees were not allowed to take their medical leave as they have not gone to their companies’ approved panel of doctors.

Answer:

The Ministry of Manpower and the Tripartite Alliance of Dispute Management (TADM) have not received feedback or complaints about employers who do not recognise MCs from registered doctors. This is supported by ground feedback from tripartite partners who informed us that employers have been recognising medical certificates (MCs) from all registered doctors and dentists, as specified in the Employment Act. If employees encounter issues with their sick leave entitlement, they should first surface the issue through the company's internal grievance handling channel and may also approach their union if their company is unionised. They may approach MOM or TADM for further assistance if needed.