TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's legislators approved sweeping amendments to the Civil Service Protection Act (公務人員保障法) on Tuesday (June 24), introducing groundbreaking anti-bullying provisions for the island's government workforce. The legislation, passed after months of deliberation, establishes Taiwan's first comprehensive legal framework to combat workplace harassment in the public sector. Lawmakers defined workplace bullying as any abuse of authority that generates a hostile work environment and compromises the psychological or physical wellbeing of civil servants. Agency directors or high-ranking officials found responsible for such violations now face substantial financial penalties of up to NT$1 million (approximately US$33,887).
Under the newly approved framework, civil servants will have three years to file complaints regarding non-power-related harassment and an extended five-year window for cases involving abuse of authority. The legislation includes robust protections for whistleblowers, imposing financial penalties between NT$30,000 (US$1,016) and NT$750,000 (US$25,415) on officials who engage in retaliatory actions against those who come forward with complaints. Each instance of retaliation will be treated as a separate violation subject to individual penalties. Government agencies that neglect to address reported bullying incidents face even steeper consequences, with potential fines ranging from NT$30,000 (US$1,016) to NT$1.5 million (US$50,830).
The amendments establish severe criminal penalties for government authorities who disregard workplace safety protocols. Officials whose negligence results in significant workplace disasters could face imprisonment for up to three years or financial penalties of NT$1 million (US$33,887). Cases involving employee deaths carry substantially harsher consequences, with potential prison sentences extending to seven years or fines of NT$2 million (US$67,774). The Civil Servant Protection and Training Commission (公務人員保障暨培訓委員會), Taiwan's oversight body for civil service welfare, will establish an independent review committee comprising academic experts and industry specialists to conduct thorough investigations into serious workplace incidents and deaths.
The commission will conduct regular inspections of government agencies to evaluate their safety and health measures, with authority to mandate specific improvements where deficiencies are identified. Lawmakers established a six-month implementation period following the official announcement of the amendments, providing government departments time to align their practices with the enhanced workplace protection standards. The legislative overhaul represents a significant advancement in Taiwan's civil service employment protections, reflecting the government's growing recognition of workplace psychological health as a critical component of public sector management and employee welfare. ◼
