According to data published on the CRC information website91 hosted
by the Government, the percentage of Labor Standards Act violations
regarding the working conditions of work-study students and part-time
workers reported in 2019 reached 28.21%. However, the actual
percentage may be higher since child/youth workers are vulnerable
groups in the workplace.
122. Through focus group discussions held by NHRC, governmentcommissioned studies92, and online surveys conducted by NGOs93, the
following problems were identified:
(1) 36% of all high school-age workers in Taiwan are not paid the
legal minimum wage. Approximately 30% of students in
continuing education programs in eastern and central Taiwan say
that they are not sure whether their working conditions are in
compliance with labor laws. This may be related to the
implementation of labor education.
(2) 25% of students in continuing education programs have worked
until 10 p.m. and 12% have worked graveyard shifts.
Furthermore, 6.8% of working youth are employed at working
hours and salaries that violate the Labor Standards Act.
(3) According to MOL statistics on violations of the Labor Standards
Act reported to the complaint hotline between 2018 and June
2021, a total of 39 cases related to the rights of children and youth
were reported, 33% of which were complaints involving the
employment of workers under 15, and 30% of which were
complaints involving employers who failed to obtain the consent
of a legal representative and proof of age from workers under 18.
Furthermore, it was found that 60% of students in continuing
education programs have never provided the consent of a legal
representative.
123. Recommendations:
(1) The Government should carry out investigations into and
analyses of the working conditions of child/youth workers
undertaking illegal employment and conduct regular censuses of
91
92
93
MOL (2020). Inspection Results of the Working Conditions of Work-Study Students and Part-Time
Workers. Retrieved from
https://crc.sfaa.gov.tw/Statistics/Detail/84?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
MOE (2019). Investigation and Study of Off-Campus Employment of Students Under 18 in Senior
High School Continuing Education Programs.
National Students' Rights Seminar in Taiwan (2021). Investigation of Labor Rights of Senior High
School Students in 2020. Retrieved from https://de-de.facebook.com/nsrstw/videos/
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