TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Labor (勞動部) announced on Friday (March 27) that its legal aid partnership with the Legal Aid Foundation (法律扶助基金會) has assisted over 41,600 workers since 2009. Workers won nearly 70% of lawsuits filed through the program, securing approximately NT$10.54 billion (around US$329.8 million) in potential compensation. The ministry also announced plans to expand the program's scope starting next year.
The ministry stated that it plans to include occupational accident cases in criminal proceedings by Jan. 1 next year, providing more comprehensive support to workers facing legal challenges due to workplace injuries. This year, the ministry broadened its assistance scope to cover cases where employers fail to fulfill mediation agreements and disputes where workers are counter-defendants. The program also extended living expense support during lawsuits for middle-aged, elderly, and disabled workers.
Wang Hou-wei (王厚偉), director of the Department of Employment Relations (勞動部勞動關係司), highlighted that diverse needs revealed through the legal aid project led to a steady increase in workers receiving aid. Chou Han-wei (周漢威), executive director of the Legal Aid Foundation, shared a case where a worker, identified as Mr. A, suffered paralysis due to improper construction site support. With legal aid, he secured NT$13 million (around US$406,800) in compensation fully paid by the employer.
The ministry reminded workers needing legal representation, financial assistance, or legal consultation due to labor disputes to call the Legal Aid Foundation's national service line at 412-8518. Workers seeking living expense support during litigation can contact the ministry hotline at 02-89956866. The Ministry of Labor emphasized that labor legal aid remains a policy priority, pledging to continue reviewing and strengthening workers' rights protection in litigation procedures. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.96 and 1 euro equals around NT$36.84)