Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Ministry of Labor, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Photo: Google Maps
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Ministry of Labor, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Photo: Google Maps

The Taiwan Ministry of Labor has announced draft legislation that all night-shift workers should be entitled to annual mandatory body checkups paid for by their employers starting from next year.

According to the latest studies on occupational safety and health by the ministry, the night shift imposes certain health hazards, such as  disturbing the biological clock, fatigue, sleeping disorders and higher risks for cardiovascular diseases, The Commons Daily reported.

In hopes of safeguarding the health of night-shift workers, the ministry is proposing an annual mandatory checkup that is to be covered by the employers, who will also have to submit the health reports of the employees to the government.

Employers who fail to comply shall be fined from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 (US$990 to US$4,940), according to the draft.

The convenience-store chain 7-Eleven told Taiwan Times that it was  already providing all employees with a basic health checkup every two years. It expects to increase the number of checkup benefits to night-shift workers to once a year as soon as the legislation is in force.

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