The Control Yuan has ordered the Ministry of Health and Welfare to review workplace bullying investigations. The cases involved 13 senior civil servants across nine departments. The workplace bullying revealed abuse of authority, prolonged harassment, and mishandled internal reviews.
The ministry completed its investigation too quickly, raising concerns about fairness and thoroughness. Moreover, the Control Yuan approved a report and corrective measures on November 19, authored by members Yeh Ta-hua and Wang Li-chen. The report highlighted procedural weaknesses and insufficient disciplinary action.
The Control Yuan impeached five senior officials and referred them to the Disciplinary Court. The officials include Lin Chun-yen, former senior inspector of the Department of Protective Services; Wang Ling-yi, former senior specialist at the Department of Long-term Care; Wang Yen-chin, former senior inspector at the Department of Social Assistance and Social Work; Chu Chien-fang, head of the Department of Long-Term Care; and Liu Yu-chuan, National Health Insurance Administration section chief.
Investigators found that these officials abused authority, verbally humiliated staff, excluded employees, and demanded immediate responses to messages outside working hours. As a result, subordinates suffered severe physical and mental stress, with some seeking therapy or resigning.
The ministry’s internal review, conducted under former minister Chiu Tai-yuan, lasted only one week instead of the required month. In addition, employees had just 24 hours to respond to a Google Form survey, and former staff were excluded. The ministry temporarily reassigned only three officials, while others stayed in their posts. These actions discouraged victims from speaking up and undermined fact-finding.
Minister Shih Chung-liang said he will review the Control Yuan report carefully and may restart investigations if new evidence emerges. Furthermore, he promised to strengthen complaint mechanisms, improve internal procedures, and implement preventive measures against workplace bullying.
Labor advocates warned that workplace bullying undermines employee rights and public trust. Therefore, the Control Yuan’s intervention highlights the need for accountability and systemic reform.
The Health Ministry must conduct a renewed investigation and implement long-term policies to prevent abuse. The workplace bullying cases underscore challenges in protecting staff welfare and maintaining organizational integrity in Taiwan.
