TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Labor Minister Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊) issued a public apology Tuesday (Nov. 19) following a tragic incident at the Ministry of Labor's Workforce Development Agency's Taipei-Keelung-Yilan-Hualien-Kinmen-Matsu Regional Branch (勞動力發展署北基宜花金馬分署). The incident involved an employee's death, allegedly due to workplace bullying. Ho emphasized her responsibility as a leader to identify the cause, clarify facts, and determine accountability.
During a press conference, Ho announced that Branch Director Hsieh Yi-jung (謝宜容) would face administrative responsibility. Ho said the ministry would reassign Hsieh to a non-supervisory role as a consequence of the incident. On Nov. 4, authorities discovered the employee's body at the Executive Yuan's Xinzhuang Joint Office Tower (行政院新莊聯合辦公大樓), with social media posts on Threads suggesting the employee faced bullying prior to their death.
The Ministry of Labor (MOL, 勞動部) clarified that while Hsieh's management style did not directly cause the employee's death, her poor emotional management warranted disciplinary action under the "Public Functionaries Merit Evaluation Act" (公務人員考績法). The ministry acknowledged the employee's death as a significant oversight and loss to the organization.
The case highlights the critical need for effective management and support systems in the workplace. As the ministry continues its investigation, it remains to be seen what further measures will be implemented to prevent similar incidents.
