The New Taipei District Prosecutors' Office today said it is investigating malfeasance offenses and listed Ministry of Labor Workforce Development Agency branch director Hsieh Yi-jung (謝宜容) as a defendant in a case allegedly involving workplace bullying that resulted in the death of an employee.
Minister of Labor Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊) tendered her verbal resignation today, Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said.
Hsieh was sacked yesterday after receiving two major demerits at a performance review, the ministry said.
Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times
Protesters gathered at the ministry in Taipei this morning holding a black cloth saying: “Anti-bullying, we want truth.”
Soochow University School of Law professor Hu Po-yen (胡博硯) called for a thorough investigation to do justice to workers, as all eyes are on how the ministry responsible for labor rights handles bullying in its own workplace.
New Power Party Chairperson Claire Wang (王婉諭) blasted the ministry investigation report as “illogical” and “absurd.”
The ministry is incapable of investigating its own problems, she said, calling for the establishment of a workplace bullying prevention mechanism, as current measures are not enough.
Wang added that Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) should organize a group that includes professionals from a third party to investigate not only Hsieh, but all relevant high-ranking officials, including Ho and Deputy Minister of Labor Hsu Chuan-sheng (許傳盛).
She said those who have left the branch because of bullying should also be interviewed to have a full picture of the event.
Also yesterday, Hsieh issued a public apology in which she admitted responsibility for "poor emotional control" and "excessive requests" that led to "significant stress" to colleagues.
Although denying that her "leadership style" had anything to do with Wu's death, Hsieh also apologized to Wu's family and others affected by her "not being able to provide timely support."
She also issued a 3,000-word statement released by her lawyer accusing media reports of treating her unfairly, as if she was put in “public trial.”
An employee surnamed Wu (吳) was on Nov. 4 found dead at the Executive Yuan’s Sinjhuang Coworking Office Building, with preliminary investigations indicating that the cause of death was suicide.
Additional reporting by Lee Ching-hui and Wang Ting-chuan
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