The Legislative Yuan yesterday passed the third reading of a bill on delivery workers’ rights and managing delivery platforms, stipulating that, per delivery, workers must earn at least 1.25 times the minimum hourly wage, or a minimum of NT$45.
The pay rate would be adjusted annually depending on the minimum wage, the act says.
The current hourly minimum wage is NT$196.
Photo: Taipei Times
The act is to take effect six months after its promulgation, and the Ministry of Labor would specify how it would be implemented after consulting with affected businesses.
The act would require delivery platforms to pay their workers at least twice per month and provide clear payment statements showing how earnings and deductions are calculated.
It also requires delivery platforms to set up a complaint system, allowing delivery workers to raise concerns about pay, account suspensions or contract terminations, and disputes with cooperating businesses or customers.
Platforms must also set up a task force of no fewer than three people to address complaints, including at least one union representative, and may not treat workers unfairly for filing complaints.
Platforms may not stipulate delivery personnel’s working hours, require them to work against their will, or treat them unfairly for refusing orders or going offline to rest.
When a local government cancels work due to dangerous weather or natural disasters, delivery platforms should suspend operations in the area and inform delivery personnel and cooperating businesses.
Platforms must provide contracted delivery workers with accident and liability insurance, and workers may not deliver until insured.
In terms of fines, the bill stipulates that delivery platforms may be fined NT$30,000 to NT$300,000 for failing to report a work-related injury within eight hours, NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 for avoiding supervision and inspection, and NT$20,000 to NT$100,000 for contravening payment regulations.
Delivery workers’ unions said that the law is a milestone for the industry, as it establishes a minimum wage, guarantees workers insurance and gives them a system through which to file complaints.
Establishing a minimum wage, insurance and grievance mechanisms under the law would clarify the rights and responsibilities of platforms and delivery workers, Taiwan Delivery Industry Rights Promotion Alliance spokesman Su Pai-hao (蘇柏豪) said.
It not only protects workers’ rights, but is key to the healthy and sustainable growth of the industry, Su said.
Whether the system can truly improve delivery workers’ situations depends on how the act is implemented and applied, National Delivery Industrial Union chairman Chen Yu-an (陳昱安) said.
Uber Eats said that it hopes the implementation of the act considers the industry’s needs, balancing the interests of all parties.
Foodpanda said it would start running operational tests to prepare for the act’s potential impacts on the market.
Additional reporting by Lin Che-yuan
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