CLA submits dismissal amendment, Cabinet approves

Council Labor Affairs (CLA) Chairman Lu Tien-lin (盧天麟) said yesterday that a planned amendment to the law would mean employers planning large-scale lay offs must negotiate with employees in the presence of a third party and pay compensation in advance.

The CLA submitted the amendment to the Law on the Protection Against Mass Dismissal of Employees (大量解雇勞工保護法) to the Cabinet and it was approved during yesterday's weekly Cabinet meeting.

Lu that the amendment states employers must not lay off large numbers of employees without first paying compensation.

Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) affirmed the amendment and said he hoped that the legislature would speed up the processing of the amendment and make it law as soon as possible.

"In addition to protecting our workers, the amendment will also help maintain a harmonious atmosphere between employers and employees," Chang said.

Lu that approximately 2 million workers would be covered by the new amendment. In addition, employers who decide to perform large-scale layoffs will be temporarily barred from leaving the country until they complete the entire process and the payment of compensation to workers is completed.

"This will act as protection against employers who may simply try to walk away from their responsibilities and leave innocent workers behind," Lu said.

Lu the amendment would fix a loophole in the law regarding laying off employees.

"Under the amendment, there will be certain procedures to carry out before employers can actually start laying off their employees. There will be rules to follow," Lu said.