Taipei: Non-government organizations (NGOs) on Thursday urged the government to amend existing laws to better integrate resources available to victims of workplace sexual harassment.
According to Focus Taiwan, at a press conference, the NGOs stated that many victims have to access the services they need one by one, despite the Gender Equality in Employment Act stating that local competent authorities "should integrate relevant resources." Wang Shu-fen, deputy CEO of the Garden of Hope Foundation (GOH), highlighted that the group received 1,063 phone calls in 2024 from victims seeking assistance on accessing necessary resources. The repetitive process of recounting their stories to each provider exacerbates their trauma, she explained.
Some local government officials disclosed that workplace sexual harassment prevention programs were still not operational and would not be available until April, Wang noted. This gap indicates a lack of awareness among victims and employers about their rights and the application processes, she added.
Modern Women's Foundation (MWF) Executive Secretary Wu Tzu-ying pointed out that 60% of sexual harassment cases handled by the Ministry of Labor (MOL) from January to June 2024 were not immediately addressed. Wu mentioned that some cases were dismissed as "misunderstandings," with employers opting for private settlements, which violate the law and can incur fines.
MWF board member Wang Ju-hsuan highlighted a significant underreporting issue, citing a hundredfold discrepancy between estimated workplace harassment cases and reported incidents. GOH CEO Wang Yue-hao noted that businesses face difficulties in finding qualified professionals, despite the MOL database listing over 1,600 workplace harassment investigators. Training for these investigators is minimal, consisting of only a few days of coursework and a single investigative assignment, Wang said.
The NGOs plan to present proposed amendments to the MOL and Ministry of Health and Welfare by the end of March. If no action is taken, they intend to introduce their own proposals in April or May, Wu announced. In response, the MOL stated it has funded local governments, hired 51 inspectors, and provided training to enhance their investigative skills. Local authorities can seek expert assistance and apply for subsidies from the central government, the ministry said.
The MOL also reviewed available victim support services, including counseling, medical care, and legal aid, ensuring a system is in place to train and remove underqualified investigators. Following legal amendments in March 2024, the MOL has collaborated with women's and legal groups to develop training programs, now offering 1,611 professionals to assist businesses and local governments with sexual harassment investigations, according to the ministry. It has also released a workplace harassment prevention handbook and posted relevant regulations online, the ministry added.