The Regulation and System of the Occupational Health Service in Taiwan: A Country Report

Abstract

In Taiwan, as the domestic industrial landscape has evolved from agriculture to a service and high-tech economy, workers face increasingly complex occupational health challenges, including performance pressure, long working hours, shift work, and psychological stress. To combat occupational diseases and promote labor health, the government has prioritized the development of comprehensive occupational health services. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, under the Ministry of Labor, has responded by establishing a robust framework for occupational health protection. This framework includes the establishment of regulations, an occupational health services system, and the training of specialized professionals. Employers are mandated to conduct general and specific health examinations for workers, particularly those in hazardous roles, and to offer health education, job-matching advice, and ongoing management of health risks. Guidelines have been developed to address emerging risks, such as psychosocial hazards, maternal health protection, workload-induced diseases, and ergonomic hazards. These guidelines are informed by both domestic and international best practices and are aimed at preventing occupational diseases and promoting a healthy workforce. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s efforts also emphasize the importance of continuous education and training for healthcare professionals involved in worker health services, ensuring they remain equipped to address the evolving health needs of workers. Through these measures, the government seeks to maintain a healthy and stable workforce capable of sustaining the demands of a modern, high-tech economy, thereby reducing the incidence of occupational diseases and mitigating the impact of labor shortages. The comprehensive approach underscores the critical role of worker health in the nation’s economic stability and growth. It is also important to introduce a contemporary occupational health service in Taiwan to multinational enterprises as the proportions of multinational enterprises have been increasing in recent years.