With the motto "everybody helping everybody," a government sponsored and operated labor insurance plan was inaugurated in 1950. A cradle-to-grave, low-cost, comprehensive, medical insurance policy is provided to all laborers and workers in the Republic of China.

Insurance is only one example of social benefits which resulted from the changes brought about by the industrial revolution in Europe. Later, the U.S. and other industrialized countries also adopted insurance schemes.

There are three major goals of labor insurance in Taiwan: (l) to guarantee a minimum wage for all workers (2) to ensure that all individuals enjoy certain social benefits essential in a modern society and (3) to extend benefits to the families of workers.

The government of the Republic of China has done much to institute and develop an effective insurance policy for all members of the work force including factory workers, farmers and government employees in order to raise their general standards of living and to create a stable, healthy and productive working environment. The considerable results achieved so far are appreciated by employees and employers alike. They both feel that a healthy physical environment inevitably leads to a feeling of security, which in turn increases output and quality of work.

Now, workers in the 14-60 age group are all protected directly or indirectly by some insurance benefit or insurance law. The government has stipulated several situations in which insurance is mandatory for employees, as follows:

(1) In any private or public businesses, factories, mining establishments, forestry or agricultural institutions and in the transportation industry.

(2) In government agencies and for faculty and staff in public and private schools.

(3) For workers in any journalistic or cultural organization, and in cooperative enterprises.

(4) Government training organizations.

(5) Any other organization which has an indefinite number of employees can participate in the insurance plan (foreigners included).

Regulations concerning the insurance plan are rather strict. Those who are in the insurance program may not drop out if they continue to work.

People who choose to work after the retirement age of 60, for instance, must remain in the insurance plan.

Any business or other organization employing at least five people must be included in the insurance program. Some 72 percent of businesses and organizations in Taiwan fall into this category.

Compensation and benefits for the following cases are available under the insurance plan:

(1) Maternity benefits. Payable based on a computed average of the insured person's monthly premiums.

(2) Injury and sickness. Benefits are payable to anyone who is injured or falls ill while on the job. Different payment plans are available depending on the nature and degree of illness or injury.

(3) Disability. For work-related injuries resulting in disability payments also depend on the nature and degree of injury sustained.

(4) Medical bills. Doctor's general fees, medicine, medical materials, surgical expenses, and hospital rooms are all covered.

(5) Death. Benefits for dependents.

On average, one hospital bed is available for every 1,300 insured persons. This is close to the ratio of 1 to 1,000 recommended by the World Health Organization of the United Nations.

There are many conveniently located offices throughout Taiwan to handle complaints, disburse information and materials, and to protect the rights of workers. The number of departments has increased over the last three years by 90 percent, and the number of insured workers by 35 percent.

Many problems remain, however. For a free-or partly free-medical system to work, its members, or participating doctors, may not take unfair advantage. The number of old people is increasing, thus necessitating an increase in medical benefits. Finally, with the rise in medical standards and new increase in medical techniques in the ROC, there is an accompanying rise in costs.

Apart from appealing to people's sense of honesty, very little can be done to eliminate all waste or unfair practices. Nevertheless, government agencies and universities are working together, using statistics and computers, to improve the system even more. It is the hope of the health authorities that through a concerted effort by all the insurance plan can be made more efficient and less expensive so as to solve the basic needs of society.

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Labor insurance permits workers to feel at ease, in the knowledge that they will be taken care of in the event of the unexpected.

1.2.3. Insured workers who are sick or suffer injuries can avail themselves of the latest in medical facilities and equipment. 4. Those in need can receive prompt and efficient medical treatment any time of the night or day.

Top: Emergency care for injured workers is only one kind of treatment available under the workers' insurance plan. Bottom: Maternity benefits are included in the plan.

Insured workers who are sick or suffer injuries can avail themselves of the latest in medical facilities and equipment.

Insured workers who are sick or suffer injuries can avail themselves of the latest in medical facilities and equipment.

Insured workers who are sick or suffer injuries can avail themselves of the latest in medical facilities and equipment.

Those in need can receive prompt and efficient medical treatment any time of the night or day.

Emergency care for injured workers is only one kind of treatment available under the workers' insurance plan.

Maternity benefits are included in the plan.