Newsletter
OCCUPATION ACCIDENT PRO-TECTION LAW DRAFTED
The draft Occupational Industrial Accident Pro-tection Law may be adopted by the Legislative Yuan this year. The draft makes explicit provi-sions concerning industrial accident compensa-tion, employment protection, and penalties for employers. In future, even workers not covered by labor insurance will be entitled to apply for industrial accident compensation payments un-der the labor insurance program if they suffer hardship due to industrial injuries, but only up to a maximum period of three years. Once the draft law receives its third reading, it is due to come into effect on 28 April 2002 (Workers' Memorial Day). The law is expected to benefit some 4,500 workers annually.
The draft provisions require the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) to set aside 40–60% of revenue from occupational injury insurance premiums as an occupational injury fund. On the basis of occupational injury premium revenue in 2000 of NT$21.6 billion, up to NT$12.96 billion will be available to provide industrial accident victims with income support, caregiver allowances, and training expenses in preparation for reemploy-ment. In order to help prevent occupational hazards, the fund will also be used to support research into industrial accident prevention, to improve prevention measures, and to assist vic-tims in returning to employment.