NGOs urge better integration of workplace sexual harassment resources

Taipei, March 6 (CNA) Non-government organizations (NGO) on Thursday urged the government to amend existing laws to better integrate resources available to victims of workplace sexual harassment.

At a press conference, the NGOs stated that many victims have to access the services they need one by one, despite the Gender Equality in Employment Act saying local competent authorities "should integrate relevant resources."

Wang Shu-fen (王淑芬), deputy CEO of the Garden of Hope Foundation (GOH), said the group received 1,063 phone calls in 2024 from victims asking for help on how to access the resources they needed.

Many victims had to repeat their story to each resource provider, which aggravates their trauma, she said.

Some local government officials said that workplace sexual harassment prevention programs were still not in place and would not be available until April, Wang said.

This shows that many victims and employers do not understand what rights they have and what to apply for, she added.

Modern Women's Foundation (MWF) Executive Secretary Wu Tzu-ying (吳姿瑩) noted that 60% of sexual harassment cases handled by the Ministry of Labor (MOL) from January to June 2024 were not immediately addressed.

Wu said that some cases were dismissed as "misunderstandings," with employers attempting to settle the matter in private, which is a violation of the law and can result in a fine.

MWF board member Wang Ju-hsuan (王如玄) pointed out a vast underreporting issue, citing a hundredfold gap between estimated workplace harassment cases and reported incidents.

GOH CEO Wang Yue-hao (王玥好) said businesses struggle to find suitable professionals despite the MOL database listing over 1,600 workplace harassment investigators.

Training is also minimal, with only a few days of coursework and a single investigative assignment, Wang said.

The NGOs plan to submit proposed amendments to the MOL and Ministry of Health and Welfare by the end of March. If no action is taken, they will introduce their own proposals in April or May, Wu said.

In response, the MOL said it has funded local governments, hired 51 inspectors, and provided training to strengthen their investigative skills. Local authorities can seek expert assistance and apply for subsidies from the central government, the ministry said.

The ministry said it has also reviewed available victim support services, including counseling, medical care, and legal aid, and a system is in place to train and remove underqualified investigators.

Following legal amendments in March 2024, the MOL has collaborated with women's and legal groups to develop training programs, now offering 1,611 professionals to assist businesses and local governments with sexual harassment investigations, according to the ministry.

It has also released a workplace harassment prevention handbook and posted relevant regulations online, the ministry said.