MOM’s Response to TWC2 Article “The tooth fairy going around in endless circles”

Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) published an article on 11 December 2024 titled “The tooth fairy going around in endless circles”, which contained inaccuracies regarding the situation of a migrant worker who sustained a tooth injury at work. TWC2 did not take steps to verify the accuracy of the information with MOM before publishing the misleading article. We are clarifying the facts below:

TWC2 claimed that a migrant worker, referred to as “Ezzin Mollah” (not his real name) had injured his tooth at work in February 2024 but did not receive the necessary treatment for months. Although the worker was sent to the hospital after the accident, the doctor did not provide the necessary treatment for his injured tooth. He was also not given a medical certificate. Instead, the worker was sent back to work immediately. This account is inaccurate.

Our investigations revealed that Ezzin Mollah sought treatment at Starmed Occupational Health Clinic under his Primary Care Plan on 26 February 2024, following his injury. He was subsequently referred to Changi General Hospital’s Accident and Emergency department on the same day, and was given five days of medical leave from 26 February to 1 March 2024. On 28 May 2024, he received dentures as part of his treatment at the National Dental Centre Singapore.

These medical treatments were covered under his WIC claim, including medical leave wages. In December 2024, the worker expressed his preference to return to his home country despite not having completed his treatment. He was subsequently repatriated on 24 January 2025 after receiving $800 in ex-gratia payment from his employer.

TWC2 further alleged that the practice of hospitals seeking Letters of Guarantee from employers gives them the opportunity to refuse or delay the medical treatment of migrant workers. This statement is untrue.

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations, employers of Work Permit Holders are responsible for providing and bearing the cost of workers’ medical treatment, regardless of whether the conditions are work-related. For urgent emergency medical treatment, hospitals typically proceed with the treatment due to its time-sensitive nature, and will inform employers after carrying out the treatment.