TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Labor Minister Ho Pei-shan's (何佩珊) resignation over a civil servant's suicide and bullying by his superior became official on Friday (Nov. 22).
On Thursday, Cabinet Spokesperson Li Hui-chih (李慧芝) said Ho had tendered a verbal resignation but that Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) instructed her to complete the investigation into accountability before discussing her resignation. However, on Friday Li said the Ministry of Labor's performance review committee issued disciplinary actions and Cho approved Ho's resignation, per CNA.
Li said Cho designated MOL Vice Minister Chen Ming-jen (陳明仁) to temporarily act as the minister and oversee the ministry's operation. The Cabinet will search for a suitable candidate for the position.
Li said Cho expressed regret over the incident. Cho instructed all government agencies to complete investigations into complaints received within one week and to submit the results to the Cabinet to monitor progress.
In addition, Cho asked all ministries and committees to re-examine the existing standard operating procedures for handling employee workplace bullying and propose improvement plans.
Li emphasized that civil servants are “important gears in driving the government forward,” and the government is responsible for protecting its employees from workplace bullying.
Li said the Cabinet will establish a complaint mechanism under the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration of the Cabinet modeled after previous systems.
Li said this mechanism will be overseen by Cabinet Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) to ensure that employees whose complaints have been repeatedly dismissed or who require special protection have accessible and diverse channels to file complaints. The goal of this new mechanism will be to prevent workplace bullying from going unnoticed, said Li.
Those experiencing thoughts of suicide should immediately seek help by calling the Taiwan Suicide Prevention Center at 1925, or the Taiwan Lifeline International at 1995. Foreign residents can call the Community Services Center at 02-2836-8134 (business hours) or 0932-594-578 (after hours).
