Official Data Collection for Traffic Accidents Involving Workers Transported in Course of Employment

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what processes exist to notify the Ministry of traffic accidents involving workers transported in the course of employment, where no work injury compensation claim is filed; (b) whether such incidents are assessed as workplace accidents; and (c) whether the Ministry accounts for potential under-counting of work-related transport injuries and fatalities to the extent its data collection methodology relies on claims-based notifications.

The Ministry of Manpower's (MOM's) workplace injury statistics do not cover employees who were not performing work duties at the time of accident, such as while being transported to work or between workplaces. This ensures that our workplace injury statistics accurately reflect risks that are directly related to the work activity.

Notwithstanding this, for the purposes of work injury compensation, employers are also required to report to MOM all injuries from traffic accidents involving workers travelling between workplaces or using company-provided transport for commuting to work. This is to ensure that workers' livelihoods are protected from the impact of such accidents. A claim is automatically initiated once the employer is aware of the accident and submits the report, ensuring timely compensation for workers.