Taipei: Taiwan's Ministry of Labor (MOL) on Tuesday launched a free video legal consultation service for workers facing suspected pregnancy or gender-based workplace discrimination. The service is also available to migrant workers and foreign nationals employed in Taiwan.

According to Focus Taiwan, the initiative aims to provide a professional, private, and convenient consultation channel. Huang Chi-ya, head of the MOL's Department of Labor Standards and Equal Employment, mentioned that this service would reduce intimidation for workers seeking help compared to filing complaints with local governments.

The service, launched in collaboration with the Legal Aid Foundation, opened for reservations and will offer one-on-one video consultations starting April 1. Workers suspecting pregnancy or gender-based bias can access the service, as well as those concerned about maternity and paternity leave protections or experiencing workplace sexual harassment.

Legal Aid Foundation CEO Steven Chou stated that the service would assist migrant workers and foreign employees in Taiwan who do not speak Mandarin, providing interpretation if necessary. Each session will last 40 minutes, with a lawyer available during morning and afternoon slots on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Additionally, 33 specially trained lawyers have joined the program, with more recruits underway.

Huang highlighted an MOL survey from last year, revealing that over half of women felt that pregnant workers faced discrimination. Furthermore, 27.8 percent reported personal experiences of such bias. Among those mistreated during pregnancy, 43 percent considered filing complaints but hesitated due to concerns about identity exposure or the process's length and efficacy.

The MOL's 2024 workplace sexual harassment case reporting statistics showed 1,577 complaints filed, with 60.2 percent substantiated. The video consultation service is anticipated to manage over 600 cases annually with a budget of NT$2 million (US$62,633), subject to adjustments based on demand.