Taichung Official Dismissed Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations
The Taichung City government has dismissed a senior official from the city’s Transportation Bureau for sexual misconduct, following multiple complaints from female employees. Chang Ying-tang (張應當), the head of the Public Transportation and Rapid Transit System Office, was found to have harassed at least five women since 2021. The accusations against Chang include inappropriate touching and unwanted physical contact, such as hugging his subordinates without consent.
According to the Taichung City Transportation Bureau, the decision to fire Chang came after an internal performance appraisal committee found him guilty of sexual harassment. Chang has been penalized with two major demerits, a fine of NT$300,000 (approximately US$9,200), and the loss of his pension benefits, in line with the Gender Equality in Employment Act.
The Taichung City government’s Chief Secretary, Huang Chung-tien (黃崇典), remarked that Chang’s actions had “seriously undermined the morale” of the staff and that the administrative penalties were the harshest ever imposed for a sexual harassment case within the public sector in Taichung.
Ongoing Investigation and Possible Appeal
As of Thursday, a sixth complaint against Chang is still under investigation, and his legal team has 30 days to file an appeal in court regarding the dismissal. However, his removal from office marks a significant step in addressing the issue of sexual harassment within the government.
The dismissal has brought to light concerns about the city’s slow response to the allegations. According to the initial complaint, submitted on September 9, Chang was only suspended when the case became publicly known during a city council meeting on November 4. It took an additional 24 days before he was officially dismissed from his position.
Criticism of Delayed Action from Taichung Government
After the dismissal announcement, members of the Taichung City Council, including Councilor Huang Shou-da (黃守達) from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), criticized the Taichung government for its slow handling of the case. Huang suggested that the delay in addressing the matter had allowed the misconduct to persist for too long, and he called for an apology from Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) of the Kuomintang.
Moreover, DPP councilors proposed that Yeh Chao-fu (葉昭甫), the director of the Transportation Bureau, should resign as a demonstration of accountability. Councilors expressed concerns about the failure to adequately address sexual harassment issues within the bureau, which has now been under scrutiny due to the lengthy period of misconduct.
Response from Transportation Bureau
In response to the criticisms, Chiang Chun-liang (江俊良), the Deputy Director-general of the Taichung Transportation Bureau, explained that the investigation followed standard procedures. He emphasized that there was a three-month limit for sexual harassment investigations, which is why it took time to interview all the accused, the accusers, and the witnesses.
Chiang also addressed the additional allegations that surfaced during the investigation, reinforcing that the bureau had taken appropriate steps as required by law.
Strengthening Sexual Harassment Prevention Measures
Following the fallout from the case, the Transportation Bureau, under the leadership of Yeh Chao-fu, has pledged to improve its handling of sexual harassment complaints moving forward. Yeh announced plans to strengthen sexual harassment education and ensure that the complaint channels remain open for victims. Additionally, more surveillance equipment will be installed to help monitor the workplace and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Table: Key Details of Taichung Official’s Dismissal
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Name of Official | Chang Ying-tang (張應當) |
| Position | Head of the Public Transportation and Rapid Transit System Office |
| Misconduct Allegations | Harassed five female subordinates, including unwanted touching and hugging |
| Penalties Imposed | Dismissal, two major demerits, fine of NT$300,000 (US$9,200), loss of pension |
| Ongoing Investigation | A sixth complaint under investigation |
| Delay in Action | Suspension occurred only after media exposure on Nov. 4, formal dismissal on Nov. 28 |
| Public Response | Criticism from DPP councilors, call for accountability and apology |
| Future Measures | Strengthened sexual harassment education, open complaint channels, and added surveillance |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What were the sexual harassment allegations against Chang Ying-tang?
A1: Chang was accused of harassing at least five female subordinates through inappropriate actions, including touching their arms and hugging them without their consent.
Q2: What penalties were imposed on Chang following the allegations?
A2: Chang was dismissed from his position, given two major demerits, fined NT$300,000 (US$9,200), and stripped of his pension.
Q3: How did the Taichung City government respond to the allegations?
A3: The government initially suspended Chang after the case became public in November, and later, they dismissed him after an internal investigation.
Q4: Why was the Taichung government criticized?
A4: The Taichung government was criticized for the delayed response to the allegations, as it took months for Chang to be formally removed from office.
Q5: What actions will be taken to prevent future incidents of sexual harassment?
A5: The Transportation Bureau has pledged to improve sexual harassment education, ensure open complaint channels, and install additional surveillance equipment in the workplace.
Conclusion: Taichung Takes Action, Faces Criticism
The dismissal of Chang Ying-tang marks a significant step in tackling sexual harassment within Taichung’s public sector. However, the city’s delayed response to the allegations has sparked criticism, particularly regarding the lack of prompt action and accountability. Moving forward, the Transportation Bureau is working to strengthen preventive measures to ensure that such misconduct does not occur again.
