Public healthcare workers to receive help defraying cost of cancelled travel plans

SINGAPORE — Healthcare workers working in public institutions will get help defraying the cost of their cancelled travel plans, if they cannot get a refund from their travel agent or insurance companies.

In a press statement on Thursday (Feb 13), the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said that healthcare workers in public hospitals have been mobilised to respond to the evolving Covid-19 situation and many have had to cancel their holiday plans. 

“Their annual leave was frozen so that hospitals could handle a higher expected volume of patients,” it said, adding that some healthcare workers whose leave was earlier approved also had their leave cancelled.

The Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU) raised these workers’ concerns to the public healthcare institutions, Singapore National Employers Federation, the National Trade Unions Congress and MOM.

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As a result, MOM said that the tripartite partners agreed to provide their healthcare workers with a letter of proof of the employer’s cancellation of leave to support them in seeking refunds from travel agents and insurance companies.

And if they are still unable to make claims from travel agents and insurers, public healthcare institutions will help defray the costs incurred by the workers.

Those who face difficulties with their refund claims may also approach HSEU directly for assistance.

“The tripartite partners also urge all organisations, especially travel agents and insurance companies, to give healthcare workers more support and consideration during this period,” MOM said.