• Location:Taiwan
• Date: 2019/12/10
• Update Date:2020/07/23
• Clicks:453

To assist workers suffered from occupational injuries, the Ministry of Labor launched the Family Assistance Program (FAP), which set up 47 case managers at local labor authorities to provide personalized and in-depth service for those affected by occupational injuries and to assist them and their families getting through difficulties and return to the labor market. Services provided by the case manager include labor rights consultation, financial subsidies, psychological support consultation, occupational and vocational rehabilitation, employment services. As of the end of July 2019, more than 27,000 workers and their families have used this service.

It’s been over 3,000 days since the program was launched in 2008, the 47 friendly case managers have accompanied workers affected by occupational accidents and their families to get through the pain and reintegrate into the society. Blacksmith A-sheng lost his balance while working and fell down the stairs, resulting in a fractured thigh and multiple bruises. While he took time off from work for recovery, his family suddenly fell into financial trouble as A-sheng is the main economic pillar of the family. After several home visits to get a picture of their needs, the case manager provided relevant assistance such as emergency relief and mediation of labor disputes, then referred A-sheng to a nearby work hardening center for occupational rehabilitation, so that A-Sheng could recover and return to work sooner. Another case example is Siaolin, whose work involves lifting operations, he fell off from the roof during an operation and died of severe injuries at the hospital. Siaolin came from a semi-low income family and after his death, it became even harder for the family to make ends meet. With the assistance from the case manager, the family applied for relevant subsidies, social welfare resources, non- government scholarships for the children and managed to get through the difficult time.

According to the Ministry of Labor, workers who suspect themselves of contracting occupational diseases may go to the nearest occupational injury prevention center to seek for assistance. If unfortunately it was confirmed of occupational disease, the case manager will take the initiative to provide integrated services and resource links, explaining various labor insurance benefits, such as medical treatment, injury and disease, disability benefits, etc. They will also provide information regarding living allowance, devices, relatives and care-taker subsidies that are of help to maintain the worker’s basic living needs as prescribed in the Act for Protecting Worker of Occupational Accidents. The more important goal is to integrate existing occupational and vocational rehabilitation resources and assist workers affected by occupational accidents to resume or return to work. If a worker died unfortunately from the accident, the case manager will take the initiative to assist the family claiming related subsidies, consolation money and social welfare to get through difficulties.

Over the years, with the efforts from both the central and local governments and all sectors of the community, the per thousandth ratio of the country's occupational accidents has decreased year by year, and hit a record low last year. However, the assistance provided by the government to workers suffered from occupational accidents and their relatives is not shrinking at all, while the service provided by occupational accident case managers have also deepened. The Ministry of Labor will continue to take actions in preventing accidents from happening and create a safer and healthier working environment for everyone. When a worker encounters occupational accident, our local occupational accident case manager will be available to provide timely service and give the affected workers and their families a helping hand.

Occupational Disease and Injury Service Hotline: (02)3366-8266; Occupational Disease and Injury Service Website