Taiwan recently passed a new Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act, touted as a gift for workers ahead of the May 1 Labor Day. Moreover, the legislation includes foreign workers in Taiwan.
According to ASIA INSURANCE REVIEW, the new law covers all employees and stipulates two months of full salary payout for those suffering from an occupational injury or disease, reported Central News Agency.
The legislation, which covers all employees in Taiwan including foreigners, integrates prevention of occupational hazard, compensation and rehabilitation into one single law, said Ms Liao Hui-fang, chairperson of Taiwan Occupational Safety and Health Link, one of the civil groups devoted to promoting the enactment of the new law.
Under the new Act, employers are required to sign their workers up for occupational accident insurance on their first day at work, regardless of the size of the company.
ASIA INSURANCE REVIEW mentions, before the legislation was passed, only companies employing five or more workers were required to have labor insurance for their workers, which covers occupational accident insurance and protection, while insurance enrolment is voluntary for companies with fewer than five people.
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Now the Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act has passes, no legally hired workers, including interns and domestic helpers, are excluded from occupational accident insurance, while those who are self-employed can also opt for such insurance.
ASIA INSURANCE REVIEW says, under the new law, the monthly insured salary, which is used as the basis for determining benefits, is set from NT$24,000 ($856) to NT$72,800. Insurance payouts cover medical treatment, injury/disease, disability, death and disappearance.
Occupational injury or disease benefits are set at 100% of a person's insured salary in the first two months, and 70% until the application ends. Permanent disability benefits will be determined based on the severity of a person's disability. A person who is completely disabled will receive 70% of their insured salary, while a person with severe disabilities will receive 50%, and a person who is partially disabled will receive 20%, according to the new Act.
The date when the new law becomes effective will be decided by the Cabinet.
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