TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A recent survey by "yes123" job search website (yes123求職網) revealed that 68.6% of workers must perform outdoor tasks during the summer months between June and August. However, 52.8% of respondents reported that their companies do not proactively offer heat prevention measures.
Among companies that do provide such measures, the most common include offering drinks (54.1%), pausing work during midday hours (42.3%), providing shaded rest areas (39.7%), offering items that provide shade (34.3%), increasing break times (31.2%), and delaying work or moving it indoors (26.7%).
The survey indicated that 45.3% of companies proactively offer heat prevention measures when employees work outdoors. Additionally, 46.6% of respondents have experienced sunburn, and 49.3% have suffered heatstroke due to work, with 31.1% requiring medical leave.
Workers demanded an average daily wage of at least NT$2,983 for high-temperature, outdoor work, with 13.4% insisting on NT$5,000 or more, equating to an hourly rate of NT$373, roughly double the minimum wage of NT$183.
A significant 94.8% of workers believe the government should establish a high-temperature leave policy, with 53.6% supporting industry-specific restrictions and 41.2% favoring a universal approach.
Furthermore, 96.6% of respondents advocate for a high-temperature allowance system, averaging at least NT$2,338 monthly.
The yes123 survey also showed that 48.9% of companies support implementing high-temperature leave, with 44.3% favoring industry-specific restrictions and only 4.6% supporting a universal policy. Additionally, 58.6% of businesses are willing to provide a heat allowance, but the average monthly cap is NT$1,598, only 68.3% of what workers expect.
This survey highlights the pressing need for improved heat safety measures and fair compensation for outdoor workers during Taiwan's scorching summer months.
