In a significant step towards addressing sexual harassment issues in the country, Taiwan’s legislature has amended three laws governing sexual harassment after a surge of #MeToo accusations swept through the island in June. The changes, approved in a special session, aim to provide better protection for victims and impose higher penalties for offenders. Under the amended workplace law, employers now face fines of up to 1 million New Taiwan Dollars (approximately USD 31,680) if they fail to address sexual harassment complaints. They are also obligated to report such cases to the local division of their labour department.
This measure seeks to ensure that companies take immediate action to investigate and prevent sexual misconduct within their premises. Additionally, the education law was amended to explicitly prohibit educators from engaging in romantic relationships with students under the age of 18. The law also holds principals and teachers accountable for reporting any sexual harassment allegations to the Ministry of Education within 24 hours. Failure to comply with this requirement can result in fines. In a move to strengthen the overall prevention of sexual harassment, the legislators extended the penalty for sexual harassment to three years in jail under the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act. Moreover, the maximum fine for offenders was raised to 600,000 New Taiwan Dollars (approximately USD 19,000).
The catalyst for these amendments came when a young woman, who was employed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, accused film director Hsueh Chao-hui of groping her and making unwelcome advances. This sparked Taiwan’s #MeToo movement, leading to a wave of accusations against politicians, figures in the entertainment industry, musicians, and educators. In addition to addressing penalties, the amendments also closed certain loopholes by requiring small businesses and companies with 10 to 30 employees to establish mechanisms for reporting sexual harassment. Previously, small businesses were exempt from this requirement. It is worth noting that more than 90 percent of businesses in Taiwan have 30 employees or fewer.
These new amendments signal Taiwan’s commitment to combatting sexual harassment and fostering a safer environment for its citizens, particularly in workplaces and educational institutions. By holding both employers and educators accountable, the legislative changes seek to empower victims and ensure prompt action against offenders. The comprehensive nature of these amendments reflects the gravity of the issue and is expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to address sexual violence and harassment within Taiwanese society. With these measures in place, Taiwan aims to set an example for other nations in the region to follow, promoting a culture of respect, equality, and accountability.