TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — With the approach of Typhoon Ragasa, the Ministry of Labor said workplace safety regulations require employers to pay transportation costs for workers commuting during typhoons and other natural disasters.

The regulations mandate that employers pay extra transportation fees, such as taxi fares and other commuting assistance, to ensure employee safety during severe weather conditions and other hazardous conditions, according to CNA.

According to the Department of Labor Conditions and Equality in Employment Director Huang Chi-ya (黃琦雅), disputes over workers' commutes occur every time there is a typhoon. New regulations provide greater clarity about employer responsibilities.

Huang said employers should not require employees to work unless necessary. Should a business require attendance, and employees agree to work, employers should ensure their safety on their way to and from work.

Past cases have involved workers injured by trees and other objects on their way to work during typhoons, leading to disputes over employee compensation. Related court rulings indicate injuries sustained by workers on their way to and from work during natural disasters constitute commuting injuries.

For this reason, employers are required to pay extra transportation costs incurred by workers who choose to take taxis for their own safety. According to Huang, this decision was made after gathering input from labor and employer groups and consulting with local governments.

She said the Ministry of Labor now requires employers to specify details of commuting assistance allowances in labor contracts, collective agreements, and other workplace rules.