President Tsai Ing-wen has hailed newly-passed legislation aimed at consolidating and strengthening a patchwork of existing workplace accident laws. That came during an event at the Presidential Office building marking the eve of Labor Day on May 1.
Taiwan’s Legislature passed the Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act last Friday. The new law integrates a number of existing rules on occupational hazards, accident compensation, and rehabilitation. The government says it is a milestone in protection for workers.
Tsai says in the past, workplace accident insurance laws were spread between different legislative bills, and did not provide enough coverage for workers. After consulting with labor groups, Tsai says the government pushed forward with new legislation. She says the new law broadens the coverage of insurance and increases guaranteed salaries and compensation fees.
Previously, only companies with five or more employees had to provide labor insurance for staff. The new legislation extends that to all laborers, regardless of company size.
In her speech, Tsai said that laborers make up 90% of Taiwan’s working population, so any legislation that benefits them, benefits the country. She says the government will continue to encourage companies to raise wages and divide the fruits of recent economic growth more equally.