Killing Overwork in High-tech Sector Probed in Taiwan

After overworking killed a 29-year old engineer, Taiwan is initiating a probe into the number of hours people work in the technology sector.

The Council of Labour Affairs will probe technology companies across the island from next month, the labour official said without elaborating.

The move comes amid a high-profile dispute that was sparked when the young engineer was reported to have collapsed and died as he tried to work his way through a mountain of paperwork at his desk in January.

Authorities rejected a compensation claim brought by his family, who said he had worked up to 19 hours a day during the six months leading up to his death, in some months clocking 80 overtime hours.

Labour authorities had determined that his cause of death was down to heart disease and unrelated to work.

Diet, Lifestyle and Heart Disease
The correlation between diet, lifestyle and heart disease. The importance of balanced diet life style and exercise for controlling heart disease.

The family is appealing the decision and would be entitled to compensation equivalent to 45 months' salary if it is ruled that he did die from overwork.

According to Taiwan's labour law, an employee can work no more than four hours overtime a day -- or 46 hours a month -- with employers facing a fine of up to 60,000 Taiwan dollars (1,900 US) for violating the rule.

Work Pressure Puts Women At Risk Of Dismissal And Forces Men To Overwork
As family work pressure increases day by day, kids may often see their fathers working overtime and their mothers losing their jobs, because they have to juggle official and household chores.

Overwork is believed to be prevalent in the high-tech industry, which is the main driving force for the island's economy, observers said.

Source-AFP