Severe special infectious pneumonia outbreak takes its toll as employers and workers cry out; Taipei City Department of Labor urges labor and management to weather the hard times together

Regarding the impact of the severe special infectious pneumonia outbreak, which has caused business units to suspend operations or cut production, Chen Hsin-yu, Director of the Taipei City Department of Labor, said the department has so far received filings from 4 companies, affecting more than a hundred workers. On February 17 alone, 3 companies submitted applications, all in the hotel and lodging industry, with the planned implementation period set at 3 months. At present, the documents still need to be clarified and corrected, and the Department of Labor has not yet completed its review and filing.

Director Chen Hsin-yu stressed that the outbreak was unavoidable, and that workers who believe their labor rights have been harmed can seek assistance by filing a complaint with the Department of Labor. If Taipei City businesses need relief, Mayor Ko Wen-je has also asked the relevant departments to provide resources; for example, the Department of Economic Development has set up an enterprise service window at the Taipei City Investment Services Office. Director Chen Hsin-yu reminded that when business units file to reduce working hours, both labor and management should uphold the spirit of consultation and discuss together to find the most appropriate way to handle the matter. Whether workers or businesses, all can find service information through the city hotline 1999 or the website to protect their own rights and interests.