Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) is advocating for the establishment of consistent grievance-handling mechanisms in proposed legislation aimed at addressing workplace bullying in both private and public sectors. His push follows growing public concern over workplace mistreatment, triggered by a high-profile case involving the suicide of a government employee, allegedly due to persistent workplace harassment.

Hung’s initiative highlights the urgent need for clear definitions, investigative procedures, and penalties to prevent workplace bullying and protect employees from hostile work environments. With Taiwan currently lacking legally binding mechanisms to handle such cases effectively, the government is now taking concrete steps to introduce laws that would ensure fair treatment of workers across different sectors.

Background: Workplace Bullying Case Sparks Public Outrage

The issue of workplace bullying became a major topic in Taiwan after an employee at the Workforce Development Agency’s New Taipei Office allegedly took their own life in December 2023 due to sustained mistreatment by then-office head Hsieh Yi-jung (謝宜容).

An investigation by the Ministry of Labor (MOL) revealed that Hsieh’s behavior included:

• Persistent yelling at staff.
• Berating and blaming employees for workplace issues.
• Assigning tasks beyond their designated job responsibilities.

The initial MOL report, released on November 19, 2023, claimed that Hsieh acted with “good intentions” and stated that she was “not the direct cause” of the employee’s suicide. This conclusion sparked immense public backlash, with many criticizing the report for being lenient and failing to hold the accused accountable.

The controversy led to the resignation of then-Minister of Labor Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊) on November 21, 2023, prompting the government to conduct a second investigation. The revised report confirmed that workplace bullying played a role in the employee’s death, pushing lawmakers to expedite legal reforms.

Legal Reforms: Strengthening Workplace Protections

Currently, Taiwan does not have a specific law addressing workplace bullying. Employees facing mistreatment must rely on non-binding guidelines, which often fail to provide adequate protection or enforcement.

Minister Hung Sun-han is now spearheading reforms to establish a legal framework for addressing workplace bullying in both the public and private sectors. The proposed amendments include:

1. Amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (For Private Sector Workers)

• Expanding the definition of workplace bullying.
• Mandating clear grievance procedures.
• Establishing stricter penalties for perpetrators.
• Ensuring that investigations are completed within a fixed timeframe.

2. Amendments to the Civil Service Protection Act (For Government Employees)

• Strengthening protections for public servants against workplace bullying.
• Requiring impartial investigations into reported incidents.
• Implementing measures to prevent retaliatory actions against complainants.

3. Civil Service Protection and Training Commission’s New Regulations

• Investigations into workplace bullying cases must be completed within two months.
• No retaliatory action shall be taken against employees who report mistreatment.
• Enhanced training for managers and supervisors to identify and prevent bullying.

The Ministry of Labor is working closely with the Civil Service Protection and Training Commission to ensure that the definitions, grievance-handling processes, and investigative procedures remain consistent across both sectors.

The Minister’s Stance: Ensuring Fair and Impartial Investigations

During a recent interview, Hung emphasized the importance of ensuring fairness and impartiality in workplace bullying investigations. While acknowledging that the legal systems for private and public employees differ, he stressed that all workers—regardless of their sector—should be protected under a unified approach.

Hung reiterated that no employee should suffer in silence due to workplace harassment and that Taiwan must move away from an outdated culture where bullying is tolerated or ignored. He also warned that companies failing to comply with anti-bullying regulations could face severe legal consequences in the future.

Challenges and Public Reaction

Despite the proposed reforms, some experts have raised concerns about enforcement challenges, particularly in workplaces where hierarchical structures make it difficult for employees to report bullying.

Additionally, there are questions about how penalties will be imposed on offenders, especially in government institutions where disciplinary action has historically been slow.

Public support for stronger anti-bullying laws remains high, with labor rights organizations urging swift passage of the new amendments. Many workers believe that these reforms will finally create a safer work environment and hold abusive supervisors accountable.

Conclusion: A Step Towards a Safer Work Environment

Taiwan’s push to establish workplace bullying protections marks a significant step toward ensuring fair treatment for employees across all sectors. Minister Hung Sun-han’s efforts reflect a broader commitment to fostering a work culture that prioritizes dignity, respect, and accountability.

With public demand for stronger protections growing, these legal reforms have the potential to reshape Taiwan’s labor landscape, offering employees long-overdue safeguards against workplace mistreatment.

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