聯合報報導 --勞動契約爭議未解！逾300船員沒工作 中運工會衝撞勞動部
勞動契約爭議未解！逾300船員沒工作 中運工會衝撞勞動部
2024-10-09 聯合報記者 葉冠妤 台北即時報導
中鋼運通公司自七月底中斷台灣船員勞健保，至今拖延不肯派任在岸的台灣船員上船工作，等於變相逼退、剝奪船員工作權，導致超過300名船員家庭陷入經濟困境。上百名中鋼運通工會成員今到勞動部抗議，要求勞動部啟動專案勞檢，認定船員與中運公司屬於不定期契約，並恢復勞健保，現場一度發生激烈衝突，推擠衝撞勞動部大門。
中鋼運通工會表示，過去工會一再主張中鋼運通與船員為不定期契約，雙方爭訟多時。今年七月上百名船員遭中斷勞健保後，這批船員至今未被派任上船工作，七月底勞保局回覆中運公司的公文卻間接承認中鋼斷保的事實，工會認為，認定勞動契約性質本就是勞動部職責，勞動部卻推卸責任，要船員自己去法院提告，去找地方主管機關走無用的調解，形同護航中運公司欺壓船員。
陳柏謙說，船員被斷保至今已經超過100天，卻等不到勞動部出面。試想35年前的勞動部長何佩珊，曾為高雄關廠女工捍衛工作權而遭判刑，35年後的何佩珊已經掌權，有機會做對的事，難道不該協助被資方壓迫的工人解決問題？
中鋼運通工會理事長王慶宏說，多少船員在疫情期間拋妻棄子，在海上為中運創造每年2、30億元的營收，公司不照顧船員，反讓船員陷入經濟困難，中運董事長等高層則坐領高薪，盼勞動部長表裡如一，為工人作主，認定船員就是不定期契約，今天的抗爭只是開始，不排除明天國慶日轉戰凱道，向賴清德總統求救。
到場回覆工會訴求的勞動部官員僅重申將依法行政，並強調勞動部必須尊重法院判決，因此屢遭工會打斷發言。陳柏謙強調，勞動部三年多前曾主動針對外送員與平台的僱佣關係進行認定，並非沒有前例，工會要的是勞動部發動專案勞檢，認定中運與船員的僱傭關係。
也因官員回覆引發現場不滿，隨後上百人高喊「還我工作權」，衝撞勞動部大門，與警方僵持，場面一度緊張。
勞動部勞動關係司司長王厚偉表示，因中運與船員的勞動契約爭議，還在法院審理當中，勞動部很難在訴訟期間要求公司復保，但工會如有法律協助需要，勞動部可提供法律扶助資源。
王厚偉說，勞動部多次協助雙方協商，並呼籲公司應善待船員，積極妥適處理員工爭議訴求，透過協商解決紛爭。他強調，勞動部已經收到工會檢舉函，違法勞動法規相關情事，勞動部都會依法辦理，該勞檢就勞檢，該處分就處分，但船員身分確有特殊性，相關工作權益若涉及船員法規定，勞動部也會轉知交通部參處。
至於船員工作權受影響，王厚偉說，勞動部會請工會提供會員名單，若本國籍船員有工作意願，卻遲遲等不到工作，勞動部會請中運公司基於保障本國勞工工作機會，盡量讓台灣船員上船工作。
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<United Daily News Report on October 9>
Labor Contract Dispute Unresolved! Over 300 Seafarers Left Without Work as China Steel Express Union Confronts the Ministry of Labor
https://udn.com/news/story/7266/8280506
October 9, 2024
United Daily News Reporter: Yeh Guan-yu, Taipei
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Hundreds of China Steel Express Union members protested today, storming the front gates of the Ministry of Labor.
Since late July, China Steel Express (CSE) has cut off Taiwan seafarers’ labor insurance and health insurance, delaying their reassignment to ships. This action forces them out of job, pushing over 300 families into financial hardship. Today, hundreds of union members protested at the Ministry of Labor, demanding a labor inspection, recognition of indefinite employment contracts, and reinstatement of both insurances. The protest escalated into a violent clash, with protesters pushing and shoving at the ministry's entrance.
The CSE Union has a long-standing dispute with the company over whether employment contracts should be fixed term or indefinite. After over a hundred seafarers’ insurances were cut off in July, their reassignment to ship duties has yet to happen. At the end of July, the Bureau of Labor Insurance indirectly acknowledged the insurance termination in its communication with CSE. The union argues that determining the nature of labor contracts is the Ministry of Labor’s responsibility, but the ministry has avoided its duty by advising the filing of ineffective lawsuits with local authorities, thereby aiding CSE in exploiting the seafarers.
Union member Chen Bo-qian pointed out that it’s been over 100 days since the seafarers' insurance was cut off, yet the Ministry of Labor has not intervened. He questioned why Minister of Labor Ho Pei-shan, who was once sentenced for advocating for laid-off female workers in Kaohsiung 35 years ago, is now failing to support these oppressed workers despite having the opportunity to do the right thing.
Wang Ching-hong, chairman of the CSE Union, stated that many seafarers left their families behind during the pandemic to work at sea, generating NT$2-3 billion annual revenue for CSE. Yet the company top executives enjoy these profits while leaving these seafarers in financial distress. Wang called on the Minister of Labor to act consistently, support the workers, and recognize indefinite employment contracts. He further warned that today's protest is just the beginning, and the union may move the protest to Ketagalan Boulevard tomorrow, on National Day, to appeal directly to President Lai Ching-te.
A Ministry of Labor official responded to the union’s demands by reiterating respect for the law and court rulings, prompting frequent interruptions from union members. Chen Bo-qian emphasized a precedent 3 years ago when the Ministry proactively determined the employment relationship between delivery workers and platforms. The union demands that the Ministry to initiate a labor inspection and clarify the employment relationship between CSE and the seafarers.
Dissatisfed with the official's response, over 100 protesters shouted, "Return our right to work!" and clashed with police at the entrance of the Ministry of Labor, creating a tense scene.
Wang Hou-wei, Director of the Department of Labor Relations, explained that since the labor contract dispute between CSE and the seafarers is still being litigated in court. Therefore, the ministry cannot compel the company to reinstate insurance during the lawsuit. However, the Ministry can provide legal aid assistance if needed.
Wang further noted that the ministry has assisted both sides during negotiations and urged the company to treat the seafarers fairly and resolve their disputes through dialogue. He emphasized that the Ministry has received the union’s complaints and will address any labor law violations. A labor inspection will be conducted if needed, and violations will be penalized. However, due to the unique nature of seafarers' employment, if work-related rights involve seafarer-specific regulations, the Ministry will refer the matter to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications for further action.
Regarding the impact on seafarers' right to work, Wang stated that the Ministry will request a list of union members. If any Taiwanese seafarers are willing to work but have not been assigned, the ministry will ask CSE to prioritize job assignments, ensuring employment protection for domestic workers.
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Since late July, CSE cut off labor and health insurance for Taiwanese seafarers and delayed their reassignment to ships, forcing them out of their jobs and leaving over 300 families in financial distress. Hundreds of union members protest at the Ministry of Labor, demanding the acknowledgment of indefinite contracts.
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Hundreds of union members gathered in front of the Ministry of Labor, demanding that the Minister Ho Pei-shan to step forward and resolve the issue.
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