Adjournment motion on strengthening return-to-work pathways

For a worker recovering from injury or illness, a strong return-to-work system can make the difference between recovery and long-term exclusion. As Singapore’s workforce ages and working life lengthens, such challenges will become more commonplace. MP Melvin Yong highlighted this need to “act with urgency and with purpose” and urged the government to strengthen the return-to-work ecosystem. In an adjournment motion in parliament on Tuesday (Apr 7), he stressed the need to intervene earlier and more systematically, strengthen employer capability and support workers who are unable to return to their previous roles. Responding, Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash highlighted the different pathways to return to employment. He said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) recognises that more can be done, such as learning from best practices and raising awareness and utilisation of existing return-to-work services. He added that MOM will be conducting a review of the return-to-work landscape; as a first step, it is looking to partner with industry and crowdsource ideas.