Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Saturday said he has entrusted three missions to newly appointed Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han (洪申翰), who is to take up the position today.
Hung must develop an “inclusive labor policy” that protects workers while addressing the demands of various industries, Cho told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Penhu.
Hung must also create a supportive and equitable workplace for his colleagues while boosting their morale, Cho added.
Photo: CNA
Cho on Friday evening appointed Hung to succeed Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊), who stepped down earlier in the day following criticism over her handling of a suicide case involving a Ministry of Labor (MOL) employee.
The body of the 39-year-old MOL employee, identified by his surname, Wu (吳), was discovered at the Executive Yuan’s Sinjhuang Joint Office Tower in New Taipei City on Nov. 4.
There was subsequent speculation on social media that workplace bullying by his supervisor Hsieh Yi-jung (謝宜容) had driven him to take his own life.
However, Ho said Hsieh was “not the direct cause” of Wu’s death, which she said was due to an “excessive workload,” “too much stress” and a “lack of support resources,” which sparked an outcry.
A lawyer hired by Hsieh issued a statement on Wednesday emphasizing that Wu’s death had nothing to do with his client’s leadership.
However, following backlash from the public, Hsieh issued a pre-recorded video on Friday, in which she apologized to Wu’s family and admitted she had failed to support him. She also apologized to her colleagues and took responsibility for her poor style of communication.
On Saturday, Cho said he had chosen Hung to lead the MOL because he was young and enthusiastic and could devise practical measures to improve conditions for workers, adding that Hung used to be a civil rights activist and is trusted by many workers.
Meanwhile, Hung, 40, said in a Facebook post that the MOL was facing challenges and needed to boost the morale of its staff.
“As I agreed to take the offer, I will do my best,” Hung said.
“Failure is not an option,” he added.
Tai Kuo-jung (戴國榮), president of the Taiwan Confederation of Trade Unions, suggested that the MOL apply the International Labour Organization’s Violence and Harassment Convention No. 190 (C190) to protect workers.
The C190 is an international labor standard that aims to eliminate violence and harassment in all aspects of work, including in the workplace and during work-related activities.
Opposition lawmakers said Hung, who used to be an environmental activist before becoming a legislator-at-large of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party for the second time this January, lacked experience dealing with labor issues and executing government policy.
The appointment is evidence of President William Lai (賴清德) wanting somebody in his inner circle to take up the job, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇) said.
The US House of Representatives yesterday passed the PROTECT Taiwan Act, which stipulates that Washington would exclude China from participating in major global financial organizations if its actions directly threaten Taiwan’s security. The bill, proposed by Republican US Representative Frank Lucas, passed with 395 votes in favor and two against. It stipulates that if China’s actions pose any threat to Taiwan’s security, economic or social systems, the US would, “to the maximum extent practicable,” exclude China from international financial institutions, including the G20, the Bank for International Settlements and the Financial Stability Board. The bill makes it clear that China
Taiwan’s Li Yu-hsiang performs in the men’s singles figure skating short program at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, on Tuesday. Li finished 24th with a score of 72.41 to advance to Saturday’s free skate portion of the event. He is the first Taiwanese to qualify for the free skate of men’s singles figure skating at the Olympics since David Liu in 1992.
Garbage and recycling schedules are to vary from Saturday through Sunday next week over the Lunar New Year holiday period. The following collection information is from the governments of the six special municipalities. Taipei Regular service: Sunday to Monday next week. No service: Tuesday to Thursday next week. Extra service: Friday next week. Regular service resumes: Saturday next week. New Taipei City Extra service: Sunday. Adjusted collection time: Monday next week — garbage collection is to begin in the morning and end at 6pm. No service: Tuesday to Thursday next week. Regular service resumes: Friday next week. Note: Garbage can be dropped off at 70
The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) yesterday held a ceremony marking the delivery of its 11th Anping-class offshore patrol vessel Lanyu (蘭嶼艦), saying it would boost Taiwan’s ability to respond to Beijing’s “gray zone” tactics. Ocean Affairs Council Deputy Minister Chang Chung-Lung (張忠龍) presided over the CGA event in the Port of Kaoshiung. Representatives of the National Security Council also attended the event. Designed for long-range and protracted patrol operations at sea, the Lanyu is a 65.4m-long and 14.8m-wide ship with a top speed of 44 knots (81.5kph) and a cruising range of 2,000 nautical miles (3704km). The vessel is equipped with a
RSS