TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Allegations of workplace bullying have sparked a wider investigation into the misuse of nearly NT$50 million employment stabilization fund in Taiwan. The Ministry of Labor (MOL, 勞動部) announced Tuesday (Dec. 17) that it is reviewing the fund's usage to ensure future compliance with societal expectations and avoid excessive promotion and extravagance.
Last month, a workplace bullying incident led to a suicide case, which uncovered further issues, including the fund being used as a slush fund for concerts and office renovations. The MOL stated Tuesday it has not received a formal report from the National Audit Office (審計部) but will thoroughly investigate and will not evade responsibility.
Chen Ruei-min (陳瑞敏), auditor general of the office, addressed the Legislative Yuan Tuesday regarding the 2023 central government audit report. In response to Legislator Liao Hsien-hsiang's (廖先翔) inquiry, Chen revealed an audit found nearly NT$50 million in expenditures that did not align with the fund's intended use. The office plans to recover these funds and refer procurement anomalies to judicial authorities.
Legislator Lin Yi-chun (林憶君) questioned the fund's current status. Chen disclosed that over the past two years, the office has reclaimed more than NT$300 million in misused funds. Also, the fund has faced a shortfall of over NT$20 billion in the past three years and has subsidized employers who repeatedly violated labor laws.
