By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — Department store workers criticized decisions to remain open Monday, Aug. 24, after Kaohsiung halted work and classes for a second consecutive day because of heavy rain, raising concerns about commutes through flooded areas.
The Kaohsiung City Government Labor Affairs Bureau said low pressure and southwesterly winds had pushed rainfall to the threshold for a citywide closure Monday. The bureau had issued the same order for Sunday, Aug. 23, citing unstable weather and the risk of extremely heavy rain.
The China Times reported that Hanshin Arena Shopping Plaza, Hanshin Department Store and several other large retailers continued normal operations Monday. Some other shopping sites closed for the day or delayed opening while monitoring the weather.
Workers cite commute risks
Retail workers used social media to describe difficult journeys through heavy rain and standing water. One cosmetics counter employee said her scooter nearly stalled on the way to work Sunday and alleged that she was told that her employer would face a penalty of NT$5,000 if the counter did not open Monday.
The alleged penalty threat could not be independently verified from the material available to KHT.
Some are urging people not to visit department stores during days the city cancels work and school due to heavy downpours, saying employees traveling by scooter face dangerous conditions. They also asked customers not to blame restaurant or retail staff for shortages, unavailable reservations or service disruptions on such days.
A business operating a department store counter said it had written to Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) to request closures. The operator acknowledged that sales could increase on an unexpected day off but argued that revenue should not come at the expense of employee safety, according to the China Times.
Rules stop short of mandatory retail closures
A municipal stop-work and school order does not automatically require private shopping centers to close. However, Ministry of Labor guidelines state that employees should generally not be required to report during a natural disaster. Employers that consider attendance necessary must provide commuting assistance, including covering necessary additional transport costs.
The guidelines also state that employers must not treat an affected worker as absent or late, force the worker to use leave, withhold an attendance bonus, dismiss the worker or impose another disadvantage when the workplace, home or normal commuting route is under a government stop-work order.
A proposal on Taiwan’s Public Policy Network Participation Platform seeks legislation requiring department stores, shopping centers and large retail outlets to close as a rule when local governments halt work and classes. It proposes limited exceptions for essential public needs and would prohibit penalties or employment assessments intended to pressure workers into attending.
The China Times said the proposal had received more than 3,200 endorsements by 11:49 a.m. Monday. The petition is a policy proposal and does not represent current law.
The report did not include a response from Hanshin to the allegations concerning employee attendance or penalties.
