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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.
Pilot programmes show early outcomes
Between 2017 and 2021, MOM and the Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC) piloted a programme to build RTW capabilities across seven public hospitals. At the time, such services were largely limited to multinational corporations with in-house support.
Under the pilot, coordinators were trained to guide injured workers through recovery and back into employment. They worked with employers to develop customised RTW plans alongside rehabilitation.
A total of 3,700 workers participated in the programme, with 95% successfully returning to work, MOS Dinesh shared.
Following the pilot, hospitals have continued offering RTW services. For work-related injuries, related expenses can be claimed under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA).
To extend support beyond work-related injuries, the Ministry of Health introduced the Bounce Back Lab pilot from 2023 to 2025.
The initiative brought together Workforce Singapore (WSG) and public healthcare institutions to support workers recovering from non-work-related health conditions. Participants received career coaching, as well as health and emotional support, with coordination across agencies supported by a shared case management platform.
Healthcare clusters have since strengthened processes to integrate employment support into care pathways and expanded partnerships to offer more referral options.
More awareness, stronger capabilities needed
Despite these efforts, MOS Dinesh acknowledged that there are areas where more can be done.
This includes raising awareness and encouraging greater use of existing RTW services among healthcare professionals, employers and workers, to enable earlier intervention.
He also highlighted the need to strengthen the capabilities of RTW service providers, including better integration of health and employment support, as well as familiarity with industry-specific job demands and assistive technologies.
In addition, more can be done to support employers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, in implementing practical work arrangements that allow recovering workers to return to work progressively.
Next steps: Review and new alliance
Looking ahead, MOS Dinesh said the ministry will be conducting a review of Singapore’s RTW landscape and will consider suggestions raised during the debate, including learning from practices in other countries.
As part of this, the Ministry plans to launch an Alliance for Action on Safety and Health for Employment Longevity (AfA-SHEL) in the second half of 2026, in partnership with National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation.
The alliance aims to develop ground-up solutions to workplace safety challenges, including improving RTW outcomes. Potential areas include job redesign for common injuries, new partnership models to match workers to suitable roles, and initiatives to build capabilities among SMEs.
Members of the public will be invited to contribute ideas, with promising solutions potentially scaled for wider adoption.
In closing, MOS Dinesh acknowledged the role of healthcare professionals, career and employment agencies, employers, unions, and workers in supporting individuals through recovery, adding that strengthening RTW pathways will require continued collaboration across stakeholders.
He concluded with a call to action: "Let us continue working together to maximise the employment potential and longevity of all workers, for a thriving economy and an inclusive Singapore."
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