The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) released two videos on its official YouTube channel on June 20th, 2024, aimed at addressing the escalating crisis in long-term care and protecting the rights of family caregivers. The first video, "Together, We Can Make It Happen," centers on the experiences of family caregivers, while the second, "Balancing Family and Work" is aimed at businesses. These videos aim to enhance public understanding of caregivers' rights and encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices that better support employees juggling caregiving responsibilities, ultimately creating a win-win situation for both businesses and their workforce.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a super-aged society as one where 20% of the population is 65 years or older. The National Development Council (NDC) projected that Taiwan would reach this significant milestone by 2025, and recent statistics from the Ministry of the Interior indicate that six counties in Taiwan have already crossed this threshold. As the demand for care rises, so does the number of caregivers; however, recent incidents highlight that caregiving is a responsibility that cannot be borne by one individual alone. It is essential for neighbors, communities, businesses, and the government to collaborate in protecting caregivers' rights and preventing future tragedies.
The first video, "Together, We Can Make It Happen: Supporting Caregivers' Rights Together," sheds light on the struggles that family caregivers encounter as they try to manage their caregiving responsibilities alongside their personal lives, while also providing actionable solutions. The second video, "Balancing Family and Work: Supporting Caregivers' Rights through Corporate Responsibility," focuses on the challenges employees face when trying to balance their jobs with caregiving roles. It underscores the significant impact businesses can have by adopting corporate social responsibility practices, which not only help retain valuable talent but also create a win-win situation for both employers and their workforce. Additionally, the videos highlight various resources from government and private entities designed to support caregivers, while urging society to pay greater attention to their human rights.
Resources:
1. Ministry of Health and Welfare: The Long-Term Care Services website (https://1966.gov.tw) provides information on long-term care services, and citizens can call the 1966 service hotline for further assistance.
2. Taiwan Association of Family Caregivers: The Ministry of Health and Welfare has commissioned a family caregiver support hotline at 0800-507272 to provide consultation services.
3. Ministry of Labor: The Ministry conducts annual training sessions and encourages businesses to implement employee assistance programs. Companies can also apply for subsidies to support these initiatives. Visit the Work-Life Balance website (https://wlb.mol.gov.tw/Page/index.aspx) for more details.