SingaporeI was injured at work. What compensation am I entitled to?
If you were injured at work in Singapore, you may be entitled to compensation under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA), not the Workplace Safety and Health Act — which sets safety duties but does not provide compensation.
What the Law Says
The Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA) imposes duties on employers to ensure workplace safety, but it does not provide for employee compensation after injury. That is governed separately by the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA). WSHA s. 12 is cited here, but it does not address compensation — only employer duties.
The Workplace Safety and Health Act (Cap. 354A, 2009 Rev Ed) focuses on preventing workplace injuries through safety duties — not compensating injured workers. Section 12 places a general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety and health of employees at work.
Compensation for work injuries in Singapore is handled exclusively under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA), which came into full effect in 2019. WICA provides no-fault compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and permanent incapacity — regardless of who caused the accident.
Under WICA, you may receive: (1) medical leave wages for up to 14 days (paid at 100% of your average monthly earnings), (2) medical expenses covered up to prescribed limits, and (3) lump-sum compensation if you suffer permanent incapacity — capped at $180,000 for total permanent incapacity.
Statutory TextEvery employer shall ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety and health of his employees at work.
— Workplace Safety and Health Act, s. 12 — General duties of employers
What to Do
Notify your employer in writing within 24 hours of the injury.
Seek medical treatment and keep all receipts and medical reports.
File a claim with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) within 6 months of the injury.
If your employer disputes liability or delays payment, MOM can investigate and order compensation.
Consider engaging a lawyer only if your case involves complex incapacity assessment or dispute resolution.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.