The Employment Insurance Act (就業保險法), which provides for benefits to be paid to unemployed workers, was the most important of several pieces of legislation passed yesterday despite recent tension between the legislature and the government.
Other legislation passed included amendments to the Water Pollution Control Act (
Under the Employment Insurance Act, workers insured under the scheme will be entitled to benefits for up to six months if they are made unemployed involuntarily. The law compels workers between 15 and 60 years of age to join the program.
The program excludes workers who have been covered by the insurance programs for civil servants, teachers and military servicemen as well as those who have gained old-age benefits. Foreigners are also excluded from the program.
The unemployment benefits now available to selected categories of insured workers under the labor insurance program will be incorporated into the employment insurance program.
Council of Labor Affairs Vice Chairman Kuo Chi-jen (郭吉仁) estimated that about 6 million workers will benefit from the new program when it comes into force on Jan. 1 next year.
To encourage the jobless to seek new employment and prevent them from relying on unemployment benefits, the insurance program will provide rewards for those who find a job quickly.
In addition, the jobless will be entitled to living allowances during the period when they are receiving vocational training, and they will also get subsidized National Health Insurance.
Under the amendments to the Water Pollution Control Act, environmental protection authorities will charge industries that produce waste water, sewerage disposal systems and families.
The "water pollution control fees" payable by the affected parties will be based on the volume and degree of pollution of the waste water discharged.
According to a rider adopted by the legislature, industry will be the main target for authorities when this new measure is implemented.
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