SingaporeMy employer didn't have work injury insurance. Can I still claim?
Yes, you can still claim compensation even if your employer did not have work injury insurance — the Work Injury Compensation Act 2019 holds employers directly liable.
What the Law Says
The Work Injury Compensation Act 2019 makes employers legally responsible for compensating employees injured at work — regardless of whether they held valid insurance.
Under Singapore law, employers must carry work injury insurance for their employees. But if they fail to do so, they cannot avoid liability. The law treats the lack of insurance as irrelevant to your right to claim.
The employer remains fully liable for all compensation payable under the Act — including medical leave wages, permanent incapacity payments, and death benefits — just as if insurance were in place.
Statutory TextAn employer who fails to insure his employee under this Act is liable to pay the compensation that would have been payable under this Act had the employee been insured.
— Work Injury Compensation Act 2019, s. 35 — Employer's liability where insurance not effected
What to Do
Report the injury to your employer immediately and seek medical attention.
File a claim with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) within 12 months of the injury or diagnosis.
Provide medical reports, employment records, and proof of injury (e.g., accident report).
If your employer refuses to pay, MOM may investigate and issue a compensation order.
You may also apply for mediation or appeal to the Employment Claims Tribunal if needed.
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.