Taiwan unions and legislators push for civil servant rights after suicide

台灣工會和立法委員在輕生案後推動公務員權利

Calls for civil servants to unionize grow after labor ministry worker's death


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Union leaders and legislators from all major political parties called on the government to allow civil servants to form unions on Thursday (Nov. 21) after a labor ministry employee died of suicide at work in early November.

The National Federation of Teachers Unions, Taiwan Federation of Financial Unions, Confederation of Taipei Trade Unions, Kaohsiung Confederation of Trade Unions, and other groups held a press conference in Taipei and issued several demands, per CNA.

They called for civil servants to be allowed to form trade unions, more thorough investigations and harsher punishment for workplace bullying. They also asked for better processes for employees to raise complaints and improved screening of supervisors.

Taiwan’s civil servants are legally prohibited from forming unions and are instead allowed to create “civil servant associations.” According to the law, these associations may make collective recommendations, but cannot strike or enter into collective agreements or negotiations with their employers.

Labor Minister Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊) said she would resign on Wednesday (Nov. 20) and Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) apologized for the death of the labor ministry employee at work on Nov. 4. An investigation found the employee’s death was the result of overwork and the actions of a supervisor contributed to their stress.