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.
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