On April 30, 2021 the government promulgated the Labor Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of workers at risk of occupational hazards as well as their families. Combining the occupational hazard insurance from the Labor Insurance Act with related provisions from the Act for Protecting Worker of Occupational Accidents, this new act adopts stronger occupational hazard prevention mechanisms and provides greater assistance to help rehabilitate and return injured workers to the workplace. The new act will be implemented from May 1, 2022.
Main points of the act
■ Broaden scope of coverage: Coverage is compulsory for all workers employed by registered business entities, and must begin on the worker's first day on the job. For other laborers, compulsory, voluntary or special insurance is provided depending on the type of employment.
■ Enhance overall protections: To provide workers at risk of occupational hazards and their families with more adequate payment protection, the government has increased insured salaries and enhanced various benefits such as by expanding medical benefits and adding partial disability annuities. In addition, the government has increased allowances and subsidies, such as subsidies for insured persons who are unable to care for themselves during their hospitalization period, or are disabled in an accident, to hire caregivers.
■ Integrate occupational hazard prevention and rehabilitation efforts: An occupational hazard prevention and rehabilitation center will be established. Preventive actions will be implemented at the front end to reduce workplace accidents, and when accidents do occur, the government will take active rehabilitation measures to help workers get back on the job. This will provide workers comprehensive protection ranging from accident prevention to compensation and rehabilitation.