In view of the approaching strong typhoon, the Ministry of Labor issued a press release on October 22, 2026, emphasizing that after the head of a county or city announces the suspension of work and classes, workers may, to protect their lives and safety, refrain from reporting to work in accordance with the Guidelines on Attendance and Wage Payment for Workers of Business Entities During Natural Disasters, and that employers may not treat this as absence without leave or late arrival or force workers to take personal leave or other types of leave, nor may they force workers to make up the work, withhold their attendance bonuses, dismiss them, or impose any other disadvantageous measures. 

The Ministry of Labor explained that after the head of a county or city announces the suspension of work and classes, employers should not require workers to come to work unless necessary. However, where an employer needs workers to report to work due to the nature of its business and the workers consent, the employer shall provide commuting assistance, and employers are required to clearly inform workers in advance, in the labor contract, collective agreement, or work rules, of the content of the commuting assistance provided by the employer. Where a worker has difficulty commuting to and from work by the originally scheduled means and needs to take a taxi, the employer shall pay the related costs. 

In addition, for workers engaged in high-risk work such as field work, outdoor construction, and maintenance and repair, the Ministry of Labor issued six reminders, and employers shall comply with Article 286-2 of the Occupational Safety and Health Facility Rules and the “Safety Guidelines for Field Work on Typhoon Days” and prepare life jackets, safety helmets, communication equipment, and necessary means of transportation to ensure that workers can perform their work safely. The Ministry of Labor’s six reminders are as follows: (1) stop high-risk outdoor work; (2) strengthen typhoon preparedness at construction sites; (3) implement safety for work near or in water; (4) avoid slope and excavation work during heavy rain; (5) prevent electric shock and machinery and equipment hazards; and (6) establish emergency response and reporting mechanisms. 

The Ministry of Labor emphasized that the principle of “safety first, disaster prevention first” must be upheld during natural disasters, and that if an employer fails to implement necessary protective measures during a typhoon and a worker suffers an occupational accident as a result, the Ministry of Labor will investigate and impose penalties in accordance with the law.