TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Labor Minister Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) visited a labor ministry branch where a worker died of suicide and pledged to make changes during his first day in office on Tuesday (Nov. 26).
Hung visited the Work Development Agency's regional office in New Taipei and greeted staff, per UDN. He also posted notices with his email address and phone number throughout the office, noting that staff members had been afraid to make complaints.
Speaking to reporters after the visit, Hung said office staff could message him with any thoughts they had without fear. He said messages would only be read by himself or a secretary.
Hung said this approach to handling staff complaints was taken amid the current crisis and further measures would follow. “Of course, we must also build up complete channels for feedback and appeals,” he said.
Hung also described the gift-giving culture amongst labor ministry staff as inappropriate and excessive. “In particular, the culture preparing gifts to please superiors and upper management will no longer exist after I take office,” he said.
Hung also said the decorations in the office of Hsieh I-jung (謝宜容), a supervisor who allegedly bullied the staff member who died, were excessive.
Hung said it was “extremely inappropriate" that staff members had to maintain these decorations and perform personal errands for Hsieh. He said this demeaned staff and would not be allowed to happen again.
Hung replaced Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊) as labor minister after she resigned on Nov. 22 over the Workforce Development Agency worker's suicide in early November.