Taiwan's Legislature on Friday passed the Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act, touted as a gift for workers around the country ahead of the May 1 Labor Day, because the new law stipulates two months of full salary payout for those suffering from an occupational injury or disease.
The legislation, which covers all employees in Taiwan including foreigners, integrates the prevention of occupational hazard, compensation and rehabilitation into one single law, said Liao Hui-fang, chairperson of Taiwan Occupational Safety and Health Link (TOSHL), one of the civil groups devoted to promoting the birth of the act.
The act lays a "new landmark" in Taiwan's efforts to push for occupational safety, Liao said, praising the legislation as an important gift for workers ahead of Labor Day.
Under the new act, employers are required to sign their workers up for occupational accident insurance on their first day at work, regardless of the size of the company.
Before the legislation, only companies employing five or more workers are required to have labor insurance for their workers, which covers occupational accident insurance and protection, while insurance enrollment is voluntary for companies with fewer than five people.
Thanks to the passage of the Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act, no legally hired workers, including interns and domestic helpers, are excluded from occupational accident insurance, while those working without an employer can also opt for such insurance.
The new law also applies to all foreigners hired to work in Taiwan.
However, it was unclear whether the law would require employers to enroll and pay for people who are employed as "contractors," such as foreigners who work as translators, food delivery drivers or part-time workers. - Context from Central News Agency
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