TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Labor (勞動部) unveiled a significant labor policy adjustment on Friday (March 21), easing shift interval requirements for workers across three key industrial sectors. The regulatory change, which takes immediate effect, will modify rest period protocols for engineering personnel at Radio Taiwan International (Rti, 中央廣播電台), shift workers at Taiwan Sugar Corporation (台糖), and employees at 15 steel companies throughout the island. This targeted regulatory relaxation affects approximately 4,300 workers who operate in industries with unique operational demands that have struggled with standard labor interval requirements.
According to Huang Wei-chen (黃維琛), director of the MOL's Department of Labor Standards and Equal Employment (勞動條件及就業平等司), the steel industry's distinctive four-shift, three-rotation work pattern necessitated this regulatory adjustment. The existing 11-hour mandatory interval between shifts had created significant operational hurdles for companies trying to maintain continuous production while properly staffing specialized positions. Huang emphasized that the decision came after thorough consultations where both labor representatives and management reached agreement on the need for more flexible arrangements that could preserve both operational continuity and worker well-being.
The regulatory modification encompasses 15 steel manufacturers, including major industry players such as Hai Kwang Enterprise Corp. (海光企業), Yeou Yih Enterprise Co. (有益鋼鐵), and Sheng Yu Steel Co. Ltd. (盛餘). For Radio Taiwan International's technical staff, Huang explained that the adjusted protocols actually enhance rest period comprehensiveness despite the interval changes. This apparent paradox reflects the broadcaster's unique scheduling needs, where modified intervals can create longer consolidated rest periods that better serve both operational requirements and employee recovery time.
For Taiwan Sugar Corporation employees, the interval adjustments will primarily apply during crisis situations such as natural disasters or operational emergencies. Huang pointed out that many Taiwan Sugar operations require specially certified professionals to handle the time-sensitive logistics of unloading and transporting perishable imported commodities, including sugar, soybeans, and corn. The modified regulations acknowledge these operational realities while attempting to preserve worker protections. This policy recalibration represents part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to create labor frameworks that recognize industry-specific challenges while safeguarding employee well-being.
