MOL Vice Minister Chen Ming-jen (bottom row, center) is joined by Park Dong Sun (on screen, top left), lead shepherd of the APEC Human Resources Development Working Group; Pongsadhorn Pokpermdee (on screen, top right), chair of the APEC Health Working Group; Jessica Russell, coordinator of the Labour and Social Protection Network under the APEC HRDWG; and participants in the APEC workshop on digital technology applications for occupational safety and health kicked off Oct. 18 from Taipei City. (Courtesy of MOL)
 

A workshop on the utilization of digital technology to advance occupational safety and health in the digital age was staged under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Oct. 18-19 from Taipei City, according to the Ministry of Labor.

Hosted by the MOL, the two-day event brought together officials, experts, scholars and representatives from APEC member economies including Australia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and the U.S.

High-profile participants included MOL Vice Minister Chen Ming-jen; Park Dong Sun, lead shepherd of the APEC Human Resources Development Working Group; Pongsadhorn Pokpermdee, chair of the APEC Health Working Group; and Jessica Russell, coordinator of the Labour and Social Protection Network under the APEC HRDWG.

Chen said during his opening address that the digitalization and innovation brought about by the fourth industrial revolution is challenging occupational safety and health measures. To tackle these issues, the International Labour Organization included occupational safety and health in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work during the 110th Session of the International Labour Conference in June, and Taiwan began enforcing its Labor Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act in May, he added.

Since joining APEC in 1991, Taiwan has made substantial contributions in areas such as disaster prevention, food security, information and communications technology, small and medium enterprise development, and women’s economic empowerment. (DL-E)