Chen labor policy promises 100,000 new jobs

DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday put forth his policy on labor, calling for the creation of 100,000 new jobs and the promotion of new industries throughout Taiwan.

Chen further promised to lift the ban on privately run distilleries, eliminate the government's monopoly on the distribution of tobacco and liquor, and set up rice liquor distilleries in areas seriously affected by last year's earthquake, claiming these measures would raise the number of job opportunities in Taiwan.

Chen also proposed setting up a Southeast Asian trade center to promote research into markets in that area and increase trade. Chen said that he would encourage students from Southeast Asian nations to come to Taiwan to study.

The DPP candidate pledged to provide jobs to underprivileged workers by opening day-care centers for seniors and children, creating after-school centers for students, and helping elderly unemployed workers start their own businesses.

Chen promised to reconsider Taiwan's foreign labor policy and to safeguard workers' rights by giving Aboriginals and residents of earthquake-affected areas preferential treatment in applying for work on major government-funded projects.