Work Injury Compensation

1. What is the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA)?

The Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) is a law in Singapore enforced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) that provides protection and compensation to employees who suffer injuries or occupational diseases arising from their employment.

2. Who needs to be insured under Work Injury Compensation (WIC) Insurance?

If you are an employer, you are required to buy Work Injury Compensation insurance for:

• All employees doing manual work, regardless of salary level
• All employees doing non-manual work, earning a monthly salary of $2,600 or less

Employers are recommended to insure all employees to protect against liability, as they are required to compensate valid claims regardless of insurance coverage. Insuring all employees helps cover the employer’s liability in case of workplace accidents.

3. What types of compensation can be claimed under WICA?

Under WICA, employees can claim compensation for:

• Medical expenses related to injury or occupational disease.
• Medical leave wages
• Lump-sum compensation for permanent incapacity or death due to the injury

4. How is the premium for Work Injury Compensation (WIC) Insurance determined?

The premium for WIC Insurance varies by company and is influenced by several key factors:

• Nature of Business: Different industries carry different levels of risk.
• Employee’s Job Category or Scope of Work: Higher-risk roles may result in higher premiums.
• Estimated Annual Earnings: The total payroll affects the premium calculation.
• Claims History: Recent claims can impact premium rates, with fewer claims generally leading to lower premiums.