NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Workers dismantled a Christmas event stage in New Taipei City on Friday (Jan. 3) without using safety harnesses, alarming passersby who reported the situation to a Chinese-language newspaper. The incident occurred outside the Labor Affairs Department (勞工局), raising concerns about the New Taipei City Government's (新北市政府) commitment to occupational safety.
Critics, pointing to the work site's proximity to the Labor Affairs Department's seven-story office, urged the government to take workplace safety more seriously, according to the report from the United Daily News (聯合報). New Taipei City Councilor Liu Mei-fang (劉美芳) called on the city to lead by example, emphasizing that activities organized by the city should adhere to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (職安法) and urging the Labor Affairs Department to strengthen inspections.
The New Taipei City Labor Standards Inspection Office (新北市勞檢處) announced plans to conduct labor inspections at the site. If they confirm workers failed to secure safety harnesses, they will fine the employer up to NT$300,000 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. A tragic incident occurred on Dec. 25, 2024, when a worker fell approximately 15 meters from a stage under construction in Taipei City (台北市) due to improper use of safety harnesses and later died.
