緣起

1970年代臺灣經濟起飛，受僱於臺灣美國無線電公司(RCA)的勞工，因為長期暴露於有機溶劑劇毒，受有勞動安全與健康的損害。自1998年起，受害的員工因聽聞RCA公司在台關廠後，傳出桃園、新竹等地廠區發生地下水與土壤汙染，因而陸續集結為自救會，並由工傷協會、義務律師團協助，展開抗爭。

RCA員工關懷協會(下稱關懷協會)於民國（下同）93年向RCA公司、GE公司等起訴請求損害賠償，始至107年方有262名受害者獲勝訴判決確定，並於109年獲得賠償金，尚有1400多名受害者訴訟仍在進行中。

長達20餘年訴訟過程中，RCA案集結台灣勞工運動界、法律界、公衛與社會學界的眾人之力，加上無數志工的參與，始能補足當前政策的不足，維護RCA職災勞工的權利，並帶動職業安全領域在制度面進行改革，相關成果亦造福未來的台灣勞工、甚至跨越國界的工人們。關懷協會於成立初期，即決議將賠償或和解金提撥部分作為公益回饋，因此於2019年關懷協會部分員工取得賠償金後，即著手規劃捐助成立公益信託。

In the 1970s, as Taiwan's economy took off, workers employed by Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in Taiwan suffered from labor safety and health damages due to long-term exposure to highly toxic organic solvents. Starting in 1998, after hearing reports of groundwater and soil pollution at RCA's factories in Taoyuan and Hsinchu following the company's closure in Taiwan, the affected workers began forming self-help associations. These efforts were supported by Taiwan Association for Occupational Injuries and volunteer lawyers’ group, which led to the launch of protests.

Taoyuan County Original RCA Corporation Employees Caring Association filed a lawsuit in 2004 against RCA, GE, and other companies, seeking compensation for damages. It wasn't until 2018 that a final ruling was made in favor of 262 victims, who received compensation in 2020. However, more than 1,400 victims are still in the midst of ongoing litigation.

During the more than 20 years of legal proceedings, the RCA case brought together the collective efforts of Taiwan's labor movement, legal community, public health, and sociology experts, along with countless volunteers. These combined efforts helped address the shortcomings of current policies, protect the rights of RCA workers affected by occupational diseases, and drove institutional reforms in the field of occupational safety. The outcomes of this case have not only benefited future Taiwanese workers but also workers across borders. In its early stages, the Concern Association decided to allocate a portion of the compensation or settlement funds for public welfare. Therefore, in 2019, after some victims received compensation, they began planning the establishment of a public trust through donations.