Insights & Perspectives
Budget Measures needed to support vulnerable migrant workers
The pandemic has not only impacted business performance, but also intensified the challenges facing vulnerable groups in our society. With economic recovery evident, now is the right time to strengthen medical coverage for our migrant workers – a key part of Singapore’s workforce.
Migrant workers are not included in Singapore’s mainstream healthcare system, and private healthcare is unaffordable for critical illnesses such as cancer and stroke. As a last resort, migrant workers who are critically ill have had to seek crowdfunding to pay for their treatments.
LEAP201 and partners spearheaded and have been advocating for the protection of migrant workers through the Care4MigrantWorkers (C4M) Insurance Scheme since September 2020. This scheme now covers over 36,000 migrant workers in Singapore and still counting.
LEAP201 and partners spearheaded and have been advocating for the protection of migrant workers through the Care4MigrantWorkers (C4M) Insurance Scheme since September 2020. This scheme now covers over 36,000 migrant workers in Singapore and still counting.
We believe the primary care plan for migrant workers introduced by MOM is an important step forward, and hope to see more measures in the budget to ensure that migrant workers receive affordable and comprehensive medical coverage.
On 31 January 2022, The Business Times published these comments of Michael Lien, Leap201 Founder and Board Chairman – https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/views-from-the-top/nurturing-the-shoots-of-recovery