TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taipei City Market Administration has ordered four city-invested firms to enforce outsourcing labor contracts after a 17-year-old worker died in a Jan. 31 machinery accident.

Yeh (葉) was pulled into a polystyrene machine while working for a contractor hired by Taipei Fishery Marketing Company. 

The 55-year-old contractor in charge of the operation was charged with negligent homicide. Authorities said the contractor broke several labor regulations.

Investigators also found the contractor had not provided labor insurance or national health insurance. The violations were discovered during a review of the company’s employment records.

Taipei City Councilor Huang Ching-yin (黃瀞瑩) said the city government holds shares in Taipei Fishery Marketing Company and should ensure contractors follow labor laws, CNA reported. She urged the city to review outsourcing practices and strengthen labor inspections to prevent similar workplace accidents.

Taipei City Market Administration said it has instructed Taipei Fishery Marketing Company and three other city-invested firms to comply with labor regulations and manage outsourcing contracts more strictly, per UDN. The companies were also told to review machinery safety and strengthen oversight of contractors.

Authorities said the firms should install additional protective equipment and emergency stop devices on machinery, if needed. Contractors were also required to improve worker safety training and explain workplace risks to employees.