Debated in Parliament on 26 Feb 2026.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Manpower given projections in a study by National University of Singapore that heat-related productivity losses could reach $2.22 billion by 2035 (a) what specific labour and urban planning policies have been adjusted based on these models; and (b) whether the Ministry will transition from providing heat stress advisories to imposing mandatory work-rest cycles for indoor and outdoor sectors identified as high-risk under future climate scenarios.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is committed to protecting workers from heat-related risks while supporting business continuity and productivity. In consultation with tripartite partners and industry, MOM updated the heat stress management framework in September 2024 to ensure outdoor workers are adequately protected.
The revised framework is not just an advisory. It includes specific mandatory measures that are essential for mitigating the risk of heat stress at different temperatures, including work-rest cycles where necessary. For example, when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reaches 32°C and above, workers performing heavy physical work activity outdoors must be given hourly rest breaks of at least 10 minutes. Beyond these mandatory requirements, the Workplace Safety and Health Council's (WSHC's) WSH Guidelines on Managing Heat Stress in the Workplace provide guidance on mitigating heat-related risks for both outdoor and indoor workers, including scheduling of work and rest periods.
Under the WSH Act, it is also mandatory for employers to report work-related heat illnesses to MOM. From 2021 to 2025, there were no fatalities and a total of 24 non-fatal cases were reported, ranging from one to 13 cases annually. Out of the 24 cases, 22 cases relate to outdoor work. Less than half of the 24 cases resulted in hospitalisation, and less than half resulted in medical leave exceeding three days.
MOM will review and enhance our measures as part of the Government's ongoing approach to tackle heat stress through a proactive and science-based heat resilience strategy. This includes heat mitigation measures, such as environmental modelling, to identify wind corridors and planting trees to provide shade along key pedestrian routes and public spaces. It also includes adaptation measures to strengthen community resilience to heat, such as the Heat Stress Advisory, which provides the public with information on how they can minimise the risk of heat stress and heat-related illnesses. These are supported by ongoing research and development efforts to better understand the impacts of heat and develop new cooling solutions.
PAPERCUTS