Employees Compelled by Employers to Obtain Medical Certificate for Self-testing Positive on ART and Available Recourse

9 Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether employers can compel employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 from ART self-testing but are well, to obtain a medical certificate; and (b) what recourse do employees have in such circumstances.

Dr Tan See Leng: MOM and the tripartite partners had issued an advisory to remind employers not to request employees who self-test ART-positive but are physically well or have mild symptoms to obtain a medical certificate for the purpose of taking paid sick leave. This will ensure that our healthcare capacity is not overloaded and is reserved to help those who truly need medical care.

While many employers have followed the tripartite advisory, we have received feedback that some employers are still not complying with the advisory. MOM and MOH have since reiterated that employees who are at low risk and have mild symptoms should recover at home instead of seeing a doctor to obtain a medical certificate. If any employer continues to insist on medical certificates, employees should report the matter to MOM for further action to be taken.