Employers Warned: Retroactive Occupational Accident Insurance Enrollment Leads to Penalties

Central News Agency (Taipei, May 26) - The Ministry of Labor (MOL) reminded employers today that under the Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act, they are required to enroll employees on their first day of work. Some employers mistakenly believe they can enroll employees after an accident occurs. The MOL warned that such employers will face fines and be required to repay any benefits paid out. Chen Mei-nu, Director of the Department of Labor Insurance, stated that the law mandates coverage for all employees in registered businesses, regardless of company size. Even if an employer fails to enroll an employee, the worker remains entitled to benefits, but the Bureau of Labor Insurance will demand repayment from the employer, impose fines of NT$20,000 to NT$100,000, and publicly disclose the company and owner's name. Statistics show that 1,575 cases have been recovered since the law's inception, with over NT$257.48 million collected.