Labor Minister Ho Pei-shan Under Scrutiny After Civil Servant Suicide
Taipei, Taiwan – Labor Minister Ho Pei-shan offered her resignation on Wednesday evening over her handling of a tragic incident involving the suicide of a civil servant earlier this month. However, Premier Cho Jung-tai did not immediately accept her resignation, citing the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death before making a final decision.
This controversial incident has brought workplace bullying into the spotlight, with the tragic death of Wu, a 39-year-old civil servant, raising serious concerns about the work culture within Taiwan’s government agencies. Wu was found dead in the Executive Yuan’s Xinzhuang Joint Office Tower in New Taipei on November 4, sparking widespread speculation on social media about the role of workplace bullying in his death.
Investigation into Workplace Bullying and Accountability
According to Executive Yuan spokesperson Lee Hui-chih, Premier Cho has stated that he will consider the findings of the ongoing investigation before deciding on the fate of Minister Ho. Lee noted that Ho Pei-shan remains in office until the investigation is complete, emphasizing that accountability within the Ministry of Labor (MOL) has not been fully determined.
“Ho Pei-shan’s current tasks and [questions over] accountability within the department have not yet been completed,” Lee said in a Thursday press briefing. “We will take time to thoroughly examine the facts before discussing the next steps.”
The Legislative Yuan’s Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee has called for an official investigation by the Control Yuan and the Disciplinary Court to look into the circumstances surrounding Wu’s suicide, particularly focusing on the possible role of workplace bullying.
Bullying Allegations and Ministry Response
In response to lawmakers’ concerns, Minister Ho addressed the workplace bullying allegations. She acknowledged her responsibility for the incident but argued that the challenges within the civil service system made it difficult to effectively control such behavior. Ho expressed regret but did not explicitly attribute Wu’s death to any direct action by his colleagues or supervisors.
Earlier, Ho had denied that the alleged bullying by Hsieh Yi-jung, the former head of a regional office of the Work Development Agency (WDA), directly contributed to Wu’s suicide. However, an official report later published by the MOL recommended that Hsieh be evaluated under the Public Functionaries Merit Evaluation Act for her involvement in the bullying incident.
On Wednesday afternoon, Hsieh was reprimanded with two major demerits, a disciplinary measure that resulted in her dismissal from office. In a public apology, Hsieh admitted to poor emotional control and acknowledged that her actions, including excessive demands placed on her subordinates, contributed to significant stress among colleagues. Hsieh expressed regret over not providing timely support to Wu, though she denied any link between her leadership style and Wu’s death.
Premier Cho Calls for Immediate Action on Bullying Case
Premier Cho, in his public comments, condemned workplace bullying, stating that such behavior would not be tolerated. He confirmed that the case has been referred to the judiciary for further investigation, with the aim of ensuring that justice is served and that measures are taken to prevent future incidents of bullying in government offices.
“I want to emphasize that bullying must not be tolerated again, especially within the public service,” Cho said. “We are committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure that this kind of tragic incident does not happen again.”
Cho also suggested that a complete investigation should be concluded within the next week, and that all those responsible for creating a toxic work environment would be held accountable.
Table: Key Events and Actions in the Wu Suicide Case
| Date | Event | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 4, 2023 | Wu’s Body Found | Found in the Executive Yuan’s Xinzhuang Joint Office Tower in New Taipei. |
| Nov 20, 2023 | Labor Minister Ho Offers Resignation | Ho Pei-shan offered her resignation amid public outcry over the incident. |
| Nov 20, 2023 | Legislative Yuan Investigation | Call for investigation by Control Yuan and Disciplinary Court. |
| Nov 22, 2023 | Hsieh Yi-jung Dismissed | Hsieh, former WDA office head, was dismissed after receiving major demerits. |
| Nov 22, 2023 | Public Apology from Hsieh | Apologized for her leadership style and excessive demands on staff. |
| Nov 23, 2023 | Premier Cho’s Statement | Cho condemns bullying and urges swift investigation and accountability. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why did Labor Minister Ho Pei-shan offer her resignation? | Ho offered her resignation due to her handling of the suicide of a civil servant, allegedly linked to workplace bullying. |
| Who is responsible for the workplace bullying allegations? | Hsieh Yi-jung, former head of a regional office of the WDA, is accused of contributing to a toxic work environment. |
| What disciplinary action was taken against Hsieh Yi-jung? | Hsieh was given two major demerits and dismissed from her position. |
| What steps is the government taking in response to the suicide? | The case has been referred to the judiciary, and the Control Yuan and Disciplinary Court have been tasked with investigating the incident. |
| How is Premier Cho responding to the incident? | Premier Cho has condemned bullying and stated that the investigation must be completed within the week to ensure accountability. |
