Social issues overlooked, groups say

"We must also understand that the term `economy' doesn't just refer to how much money we can earn in a year," Chang said. "The word `economy' should refer to the quality of life."

Chi Hui-rong (紀惠蓉), head of the Garden of Hope Foundation, said that workers should be the main focus of any economic policy.

Instead, the government panders to labor constituents such as military personnel and public workers -- rather than coming up with policies that address the needs of workers from across all industrial sectors.

"We will keep campaigning, especially as we get closer to the year-end elections," Chi said. "I hope our voices will get louder and louder to let the politicians know we care."