Taiwan Hotelier Sentenced for Shooting Employee Over Healthcare Dispute

A Nanthou County Hotel Owner Faces Prison After a Violent Confrontation Regarding Unpaid Insurance

A hotel owner in Nanthou County, Taiwan, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for attempted murder and firearms offenses following a shooting incident involving an employee. The case highlights serious labor issues and the potential for violence when these issues are not addressed.

The incident occurred at a guesthouse near the Qingjing Farm. The owner, identified as Mr. Chang, reportedly became enraged after his employee, Mr. Ou, raised concerns about not receiving labor and health insurance benefits despite working at the guesthouse for six months. This led to a violent altercation.

According to court documents, Mr. Chang confronted Mr. Ou with a firearm, eventually shooting him during a struggle. The bullet struck Mr. Ou in the neck, traversing his trachea and shattering his first thoracic vertebra, causing partial paralysis. The courts found Mr. Chang guilty of both the illegal possession of firearms and attempted murder.