A bipartisan group of legislators discussed the results of a special report this Wednesday, the day before May Day, focusing on workplace safety. KMT Legislators Chen Ching-hui (陳菁徽) and Wang Yu-min (王育敏) alongside DPP Legislator Lin Shu-fen (林淑芬) raised their concerns about the prevention and control of fall accidents.
Lawmakers noted that even though the Labor Ministry cracked down on workplace fall accidents, 83 workers fell to their deaths in 2024, far exceeding the original target of no more than 68 fall-related deaths. Past data indicates that between 2014 and 2023, nearly 1,000 lives were lost to fall accidents.
Lin further pointed out that of the 83 workers who died last year, 71 had never received safety education training. Since they must spend their own time and money to attend such training, she said, their willingness to do so is low. Labor Minister Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) confirmed they are currently considering ways to incentivize workers to participate in safety training.
Regarding the potential impact of reciprocal tariffs on the job market, Hung said that the ministry has the means to subsidize wages should companies choose to implement reduced work hours and rest breaks. He said they have discussed the conditions needed for expanding the applicable industries with the Economic Ministry.
Hung emphasized that there is currently a 90-day moratorium on U.S. President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff measures and that it remains to be seen whether circumstances will change. He said he has made the relevant preparations and will continue to observe the tariffs’ impact on industries.