(FWA 2025/11/10)Typhoon Phoenix is expected to impact Taiwan on Tuesday(11/11) and Wednesday(11/12). If a typhoon day (work suspension) is announced, will workers still get paid? Can my boss force me to go to work? According to the “Guidelines for Worker Attendance Management and Wage Payment during Natural Disasters,” if a county or city government has announced a work suspension, workers can choose not to go to work. This applies if their workplace, residence, or commute route is in an affected area.
If a worker does not go to work due to the natural disaster, it is not attributable to the worker. Employers are advised not to deduct that day’s wages. They also cannot mark the worker as absent, late, or force them to use personal leave or other forms of leave. Furthermore, employers cannot force workers to make up the work, deduct their perfect attendance bonus, fire them, or take any other adverse actions (unfavorable treatment).
In the past, the Ministry of Labor (MOL) has received many complaints during typhoon days, especially from industries like security, convenience stores, department stores, and food/beverage, which require employees to work for operational needs. Workers risk their safety commuting, and if public transport is unavailable, they often must take taxis.
Therefore, the MOL recently amended the guidelines: If an employer requires a worker to come in for operational needs, the employer must assist with the additional transportation costs incurred by the worker (such as taking a taxi for safety). This cost should not be borne by the worker. If the employer refuses to pay, the worker can file a complaint with the local labor authority or call the MOL’s 1955 hotline.
