SingaporeWhat injuries are covered under WICA?
WICA covers injuries arising out of and in the course of employment, including accidents, occupational diseases, and prescribed conditions — but excludes injuries caused solely by employee’s wilful disobedience or intoxication.
What the Law Says
The Work Injury Compensation Act 2019 defines the scope of injuries for which employers must provide compensation to employees.
Under WICA, an injury is covered if it arises out of and in the course of employment. This includes accidents that happen during work hours or while performing work duties — even if outside the workplace, such as during business travel or while using employer-provided transport.
It also covers occupational diseases listed in the First Schedule of the Act (e.g., noise-induced hearing loss, silicosis, or carpal tunnel syndrome), provided they are contracted due to exposure at work over a prescribed period.
However, compensation is not payable if the injury results solely from the employee’s wilful disobedience of a lawful order or from intoxication by alcohol or drugs — unless the employer knowingly allowed or encouraged such conduct.
Statutory TextAn employee is entitled to compensation under this Act for any injury arising out of and in the course of his employment.
— Work Injury Compensation Act 2019, s. 3 — Entitlement to compensation
What to Do
Confirm the injury occurred during employment and was work-related.
Report the injury to your employer within 24 hours (or as soon as reasonably possible).
Seek medical treatment and obtain a medical certificate documenting the injury and diagnosis.
Your employer must notify the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) within 10 days of learning about the injury.
If compensation is denied or disputed, file a claim with MOM’s Work Injury Compensation Division.
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.