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MOL official fired over workplace bullying
The Ministry of Labor (MOL) has announced that a Work Development Agency branch chief has been dismissed following an incident in which a civil servant killed himself at work.
According to the ministry, Hsieh Yi-rong received two major demerits at a performance review, prompting her immediate dismissal from office. The move comes after lawmakers slammed Labor Minister Ho Pei-shan's initial response to the employee's suicide.
Ho wept repeatedly as she was questioned by members of the Legislative Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee which announced that it has asked the Control Yuan and the Disciplinary Court to separately look into the case.
Lawmakers accused Ho of being too lenient after she told reporters earlier this week that Hsieh was "not the direct cause" of the employee's death, which has been attributed to an "excessive workload," "too much stress," and a "lack of support resources."
The MOL minister insisted during the legislative committee hearing that she didn't have authority to immediately suspend the Work Development Agency branch chief. Ho then tendered her resignation following the hearing.
Premier Cho Jung-tai has issued a public apology and confirmed the case has been transferred to the judiciary for further investigation.
Speaking to reporters, Cho stressed that all heads of ministries and departments should take this incident as a warning" as "bullying must not be tolerated again."
Meanwhile, President Lai Ching-te also emphasized the theme of bullying in a public statement released on Facebook, saying that the "care and protection" of every government worker must be "enhanced" and the government "must work hard to change many workplace cultures" to "promote a healthier and more progressive working environment in government offices."
