TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Labor (MOL, 勞動部) disclosed on Tuesday (July 1) that nearly one-quarter of businesses inspected last year violated part-time labor regulations, with several prominent companies among the offenders. Government inspectors carried out 1,800 workplace assessments across the island, identifying 448 violations that resulted in fines totaling approximately NT$12.82 million (about US$438,800). The findings underscore persistent challenges in Taiwan's labor market despite the government's increased enforcement efforts.
Deputy Director General Lin Yu-tang (林毓堂) from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, 職業安全衛生署), Taiwan's workplace safety regulatory agency, revealed that nearly half of all violations occurred within the restaurant sector. The investigation uncovered widespread labor abuses, including 133 instances where employers failed to provide legally mandated compensation for rest day work, 113 cases of businesses not paying double wages for national holiday shifts, and 109 situations where workers were forced to work more than six consecutive days without a break — all clear violations of Taiwan's labor protection laws.
Labor Minister Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) highlighted a positive trend amid the enforcement challenges, noting that Taiwan's youth unemployment rate had fallen to 7.57% in May 2025 — marking an 18-year low for that month. The minister delivered a stern message to businesses, emphasizing that compliance with labor laws represents a fundamental corporate obligation rather than an optional consideration. "Companies found violating regulations will face targeted follow-up inspections," Hung warned, adding that the ministry had published 413 violation records from previous inspections on its official website to enhance transparency and public awareness.
The ministry has launched an awareness campaign urging Taiwan's young workforce to carefully monitor their compensation, working schedules, and employment agreements to protect their legal rights. Officials emphasized that part-time workers, who often include students and young professionals entering the job market, remain particularly vulnerable to exploitation by employers attempting to circumvent labor regulations. "Understanding your rights is the first step to ensuring they are respected," a ministry spokesperson noted during the announcement. ◼