With around 3,800 residents leaving jobs yearly due to health reasons, MOM outlines ongoing efforts and next steps to help workers re-enter employment.

Singapore will continue to work on its Return-to-Work (RTW) ecosystem as part of broader efforts to support workers recovering from injury or illness, according to Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Manpower.

Speaking in Parliament in response to an adjournment motion by Melvin Yong, Assistant Secretary-General, NTUC, MOS Dinesh said workplace safety and health efforts today go beyond prevention and enforcement. It increasingly includes helping workers maintain or re-enter employment after serious health episodes.

While Singapore continues to record low fatal and major workplace injury rates, he noted that some workers still face health-related setbacks that affect their ability to work. Over the past five years, an average of about 3,800 unemployed residents had left their previous jobs due to health reasons. With longer life expectancies and extended careers, he said, supporting workers through periods of recovery will become more important.

MOS Dinesh added that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) shares the Member’s interest in strengthening RTW pathways, which can support both workforce well-being and productivity.

RTW services, he said, are designed to help individuals resume employment in a safe and sustainable manner. This typically involves vocational rehabilitation and coordination across healthcare providers, employers and workers, with plans tailored to the individual’s functional ability and job requirements.

He noted that such support can reduce the risk of re-injury and support workers’ readiness to return to work, while also helping employers retain trained and experienced staff.

Workers may return to the same role with adjustments, take on a different role within the same organisation, or seek employment with a new employer depending on their circumstances.

To this point, the MOS affirmed that workplaces play a key role in enabling successful reintegration. This includes fostering a supportive culture and implementing practical job modifications so that workers can continue to perform their roles despite limitations.

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