It was reported that the Legislative Yuan yesterday approved a series of bills to facilitate employment for middle-aged and older people, safe use of pesticides, restoration of historic sites and promotion of the national sports team’s welfare.
Amendments to the Labor Standards Act, the Middle-aged and Elderly Employment Promotion Act, the Land Act and the National Sports Act, and a draft bill of the plant therapist act all passed their third readings at the legislature.
The amendment to Article 54 of the Labor Standards Act stipulates that workers aged 65 or older can extend their retirement age via an agreement with their employer.
Although in practice, workers and employers could negotiate the retirement age under the original act, the amendment clarifies the ambiguity, former minister of Labour Hsu Ming-chun said.
Amendments to the Middle-aged and Elderly Employment Promotion Act officially include an employment program for middle-aged and senior workers to ensure that both workers and employers understand the programme.
A part-time work scheme, proposed by Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lin Yueh-chin during the review, has been included as well to facilitate part-time employment of older people.
The amendments also stipulate that employers should assist with retirement adaptation and re-employment within two years of the voluntary or compulsory retirement ages defined by the Labor Standards Act, with subsidies from the central authorities. – CNA/Taipei Times
