TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Legislator Chen Ching-hui (陳菁徽) on Thursday (Oct. 17) criticized the Ministry of Labor's (MOL, 勞動部) free psychological counseling program for its lack of use.
Chen pointed out that the program offers six free sessions annually but needs to be utilized mainly. MOL officials presented a report on wages and migrant workers to the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee (社福及衛環委員會).
Chen highlighted the high prevalence of depression and anxiety among Taiwanese aged 30 to 45, affecting one in four individuals. Despite this, the program saw only 239, 383, and 923 users over the past three years. In contrast, the Ministry of Health and Welfare's (MOHW, 衛福部) similar program served 29,000 individuals last year, with over 10,000 referred for medical treatment.
Chen suggested MOL develop a more effective plan. She noted that only those with Labor Occupational Accident Insurance (勞工職業災害保險) can access the program, excluding the unemployed, and cited difficulties in scheduling and inconvenient counseling hours.
Labor Minister Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊) acknowledged the issue, stating that she discovered this problem after taking office and promised that the ministry would improve the program.
