Understanding Singapore’s Work Injury Compensation Act: Your rights and responsibilities explained

Whether you’re working in the open or the comfort of an office, accidents can happen. When they do, knowing your rights matters.

That is where the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) comes in.

WICA is Singapore’s way of ensuring that workers who get injured or fall ill because of work are quickly and fairly compensated, without having to involve lawyers or the courts.

It’s a practical, no-fuss system designed to give peace of mind to employees and employers alike. For workers, it means medical bills and lost wages don’t have to be a financial burden. For employers, it provides a clear process and insurance coverage that helps manage liability.

Let’s break down what you should know about WICA. Whether you’re an employee wondering what you’re entitled to, or an employer trying to do right by your team.

Three things workers should know about WICA

1. Who is covered and what you can claim

WICA applies to almost all employees working in Singapore, whether you’re local or foreign, full-time, part-time or on a temporary contract.

Who it doesn’t cover includes independent contractors, self-employed persons, domestic workers, and uniformed personnel like workers in the Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force.

It doesn’t matter whether your injury happened at the office or while travelling for work. If it happened “in the course of employment,” chances are you will be covered.

You can claim for:

• Medical leave wages
• Medical expenses
• Compensation for permanent incapacity
• Compensation for death

More importantly, you don’t have to file a lawsuit to be compensated. WICA lets you make a claim through MOM, which investigates and assesses the amount due.

You can find more details on the claims process at the MOM website.

2. Know how much you could be entitled to

The amount you can claim under WICA is based on formulas prescribed by law.

Here’s a quick summary of the key compensation types:

• In the event of death: $76,000 – $225,000
• In the event of permanent incapacity: $97,000 – S$289,000 x percentage of permanent incapacity
• Medical expenses: Up to S$45,000 or 1 year from the accident (whichever comes first)
• Hospitalisation leave
• Outpatient leave

Knowing these numbers helps you understand your rights—and ensures you're not short-changed if an accident happens.

You can find more details on the types of compensation here.

3. Report accidents early and keep documentation

Every worker should report their injury to their employer as soon as possible, ideally on the same day.

Even minor accidents that seem okay at first could become worse later, and early reporting helps safeguard your ability to claim.

You have up to one year from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you delay, your employer or insurer may dispute the cause, and you risk missing the deadline.

Here’s what you should do:

• Notify your employer in writing
• Seek medical attention from a licensed doctor
• Keep all medical records

You can also track your claim via the WICA digital system called EmPOWER-WIC, and contact MOM if your employer refuses to report it.

Two things employers should know about WICA

4. Insurance reduces direct liability and legal risk

Under WICA, employers must maintain approved work injury compensation insurance for all employees involved in manual work, and non-manual workers earning S$2,600 or less a month.

If insured, the insurer pays the compensation, easing cash flow burdens. Employers also avoid private litigation costs because most claims are processed under statute, not through the common law.

5. Standardised process limits legal disputes

Because WICA is designed as a ‘no-fault’ compensation regime—meaning claims can be made regardless of who caused the accident—and uses fixed compensation formulas, disputes are less likely to escalate into lengthy court cases.

WICA bars employers and employees from “contracting out” or agreeing to lower standards of compensation.

The Commissioner plays a central role in adjudicating disputes  between employees and their insurers or employers, providing a fair, consistent process and reducing exposure to unpredictable damages judgments.

Protection for both employers and employees

WICA is designed to make life easier and fairer. Employees will get financial relief to tide them over their recovery phase, while employers will also be protected from hefty financial liability.

This allows both parties to fall back on a predictable, yet transparent system. One that is backed by Singapore law.

Did you know that NTUC members are also eligible for additional coverage under NTUC Gift? Sign up as an NTUC member and get protected today!