“Taiwan’s employees are driving the economy and social development,” Minister of Labor Chen Hsiung-wen said Oct. 20. “It is the government’s responsibility to improve their working conditions and welfare coverage.”
Changes to the LSA will see around 6.7 million workers, particularly nurses and those employed in factories, receive overtime pay if they cannot take time off within six months of filed overtime. In addition, those working on weekends or national holidays will be paid if they cannot use their overtime within the same time frame.
Currently, employers prefer giving workers time off in lieu rather than overtime pay. But during peak seasons, this is often impossible and the break falls by the wayside.
Under the AGEE amendment, prospective parents can apply for parental leave after being with a company for six months instead of one year. “This especially benefits dispatch workers and new employees,” Chen said.
Chen said the AGEE and LSA amendments are expected to take effect in the first half of next year and 2016, respectively.
“These changes are only one step along the road to enhancing the rights of the nation’s workers,” he said. “We will leave no stone unturned in reforming laws and creating a fair labor environment for all.” (DF-JSM)
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