Statute Details
- Title: Work Injury Compensation (Exemption from Section 30) Order 2020
- Full Title: Work Injury Compensation (Exemption from Section 30) Order 2020
- Act Code: WICA2019-S733-2020
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (sl)
- Commencement Date: 1 September 2020
- Parts: N/A
- Key Sections: Section 2: Definitions of "deemed approved policy", "interim policy" and "licensed insurer"
- Related Legislation: Work Injury Compensation Act 2019
What Is This Legislation About?
The Work Injury Compensation (Exemption from Section 30) Order 2020 is a piece of subsidiary legislation enacted under the Work Injury Compensation Act 2019 (WICA 2019) in Singapore. This Order provides exemptions from certain offenses under Section 30 of WICA 2019 for licensed insurers and insurance intermediaries who offer or enter into contracts to provide "interim policies" or "deemed approved policies" to employers before 1 January 2021.
The purpose of this Order is to facilitate the transition to the new work injury compensation framework introduced by WICA 2019, which came into effect on 1 September 2020. It grants temporary exemptions to allow insurers and intermediaries to continue offering certain types of policies during the initial implementation period, without being liable for offenses under Section 30 of the Act.
What Are the Key Provisions?
The key provisions of the Work Injury Compensation (Exemption from Section 30) Order 2020 are as follows:
Exemption from Section 30(1) Offenses: Section 3(1) of the Order exempts licensed insurers and insurance intermediaries from liability for offenses under Section 30(1) of WICA 2019, if they offer or enter into contracts to provide "interim policies" to employers before 1 January 2021. Section 30(1) prohibits any person from offering or entering into a contract to provide work injury compensation insurance other than a "deemed approved policy" as defined in WICA 2019.
Exemption from Section 30(3) Offenses: Section 3(2) of the Order exempts licensed insurers and insurance intermediaries from liability for offenses under Section 30(3) of WICA 2019, if they offer or enter into contracts to provide "deemed approved policies" to employers before 1 January 2021. Section 30(3) prohibits any person from offering or entering into a contract to provide work injury compensation insurance other than a "deemed approved policy".
Definitions: Section 2 of the Order defines the key terms "deemed approved policy", "interim policy", and "licensed insurer" by reference to the Work Injury Compensation (Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2020. These definitions are crucial for understanding the scope of the exemptions provided in Section 3.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Work Injury Compensation (Exemption from Section 30) Order 2020 is a short piece of subsidiary legislation consisting of only 3 sections:
- Citation and commencement - Provides the title of the Order and its commencement date of 1 September 2020.
- Definitions - Defines the key terms "deemed approved policy", "interim policy", and "licensed insurer" by reference to the Work Injury Compensation (Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2020.
- Exemption - Grants exemptions from liability for offenses under Sections 30(1) and 30(3) of WICA 2019 to licensed insurers and insurance intermediaries who offer or enter into contracts to provide "interim policies" or "deemed approved policies" before 1 January 2021.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Work Injury Compensation (Exemption from Section 30) Order 2020 applies to two main groups:
- Licensed insurers - The Order exempts licensed insurers from liability for certain offenses under Section 30 of WICA 2019 when offering or entering into contracts to provide "interim policies" or "deemed approved policies" to employers before 1 January 2021.
- Insurance intermediaries - The Order also exempts insurance intermediaries from liability for certain offenses when they are involved in the provision of "interim policies" or "deemed approved policies" by licensed insurers before 1 January 2021.
The exemptions provided by this Order are limited to the specific activities and time period mentioned, and do not apply to any other persons or circumstances.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
The Work Injury Compensation (Exemption from Section 30) Order 2020 is an important piece of legislation that facilitates the smooth transition to the new work injury compensation framework introduced by WICA 2019. It provides temporary relief to licensed insurers and insurance intermediaries from certain offenses under Section 30 of the Act, which would otherwise prohibit them from offering or entering into contracts for certain types of work injury compensation policies.
This exemption is crucial during the initial implementation period, as it allows insurers and intermediaries to continue providing "interim policies" and "deemed approved policies" to employers, ensuring continuity of coverage and avoiding disruptions in the market. The Order helps to maintain stability and prevent potential gaps in work injury compensation coverage for employees during the transition to the new regulatory framework.
Ultimately, the Work Injury Compensation (Exemption from Section 30) Order 2020 is an important transitional measure that supports the successful implementation of WICA 2019 and the new work injury compensation regime in Singapore.
Related Legislation
- Work Injury Compensation Act 2019
- Work Injury Compensation (Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2020
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Work Injury Compensation (Exemption from Section 30) Order 2020 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.