TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taipei Doctors' Union released the survey Friday (May 10), revealing that nearly 30% of female doctors are still required to work night shifts. The union is calling for amendments to the Medical Care Act's labor provisions to protect the rights of pregnant and child-rearing female doctors.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare's Department of Medical Affairs stated that the labor provisions of the Medical Care Act already include protections for pregnant doctors. If medical institutions violate these provisions by scheduling night shifts against a doctor's wishes, they can be fined up to NT$100,000 and face continuous penalties.
Deputy Director Liu Yu-ching of the Department of Medical Affairs said the draft of the labor provisions has been completed and will be submitted to the Executive Yuan after the new cabinet takes office.
Liu further explained that the draft stipulates that medical institutions can schedule pregnant doctors to work between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following day, with the doctor's consent and considering factors such as patient care needs and the doctor's physical and mental condition. Violators will be fined between NT$20,000 and NT$100,000 and given a deadline to improve. Those who refuse to comply can be fined repeatedly.
The Labor Standards Act was once ruled unconstitutional for prohibiting female employees from working at night. Therefore, the content of the labor provisions of the Medical Care Act is still in the draft stage at the Ministry of Health and Welfare and will need to be reviewed by the Executive and Legislative Yuan.
Liu pointed out that the Act of Gender Equality in Employment already provides protections for pregnant female doctors, and these protections are linked to hospital evaluations. If frontline doctors are forced to work night shifts against their will, they can file a complaint with their local Department of Labor, which will take administrative action based on the individual case.
