TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Legislators and civil groups called for reforms in handling workplace bullying on Friday (Nov. 22). Speaking at a press conference, they highlighted the urgent need for change following the tragic suicide of a Ministry of Labor (MOL, 勞動部) official, allegedly due to workplace bullying, which has sparked widespread public concern.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) Legislator Fan Yun (范雲) criticized the current mechanisms for addressing bullying among public servants, labeling them ineffective. She urged substantial reforms, suggesting they mirror the Act of Gender Equality in Employment (性別工作平等法). DPP Legislator Lin Yueh-chin (林月琴) added that workplace bullying constitutes criminal behavior. She emphasized the government's responsibility to protect its employees and proposed establishing an external complaint mechanism.
Huang I-ling (黃怡翎), executive director of Taiwan Occupational Safety and Health (台灣職業安全健康連線), identified long working hours and high workloads as contributing factors. She called for enhanced labor inspections, the elimination of fake attendance records, and discussions on hidden work hours due to remote work.
Yang Ching-lun (楊景倫), a specialist from the Directorate-general of Personnel Administration (人事行政總處), stated that the premier had instructed them to strengthen employee protection mechanisms within a week. Ye Pei-chieh (葉沛杰), a senior technical specialist at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (職業安全署), explained plans to revise the Occupational Safety and Health Act (職業安全衛生法) to prevent workplace violations.
The incident has prompted a nationwide discussion on improving workplace safety and protection, signaling potential legislative changes shortly.
>>> If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 1995 to reach the Suicide Prevention Line. You can also call the Peace of Mind Line, under the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW ), at 1925, or the Teacher Chang Foundation at 1980 for additional resources.