Chen says teachers' march good for democracy

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday asked the public to keep an open mind during a teachers' march tomorrow because "[for teachers] to air their grievances by taking to the streets, is an act demonstrating the freedom and diverse values of a democratic nation."

"The nation's education policy will improve when everyone can voice their concerns and opinions fearlessly," Chen added.

However, Chen asked teachers to use wisdom in carrying out the demonstration so that "those with hidden agendas" would not be able to interfere with the nation's education reform.

Chen made the remarks yesterday while attending the awarding ceremony for outstanding senior teachers, as the National Teacher's Association (NTA, 全國教師會) mo-bilized its members to march in downtown Taipei tomorrow to demand the right to form unions and conduct negotiations on behalf of teachers.

Under the current Teacher's Law, teachers may form professional associations that focuses on services and research on educational topics. However, as teachers are classified as public employees rather than private-sector laborers, they are denied the right to form unions.

The march, slated for national Teacher's Day tomorrow, would be the first one in Taiwan that was organized and attended by teachers.

Chen assured teachers that the government's education reform would not infringe on their dignity and welfare.

Chen also said that the government would try its best to discuss with teachers issues regarding teachers' welfare -- such as the revoking of their tax-exempt status -- to find the best solution for both parties.

The upcoming demonstration was prompted by the government's moves to withhold the tax-free status of elementary and secondary-school teachers.

Nevertheless, in a press conference yesterday to warm up the demonstration, Chang Hui Shan (張輝山), president of the NTA, said that the teachers were not trying to boycott taxation but demanding the right to form unions because with tax paid, teachers should no longer be regarded as public employees but as laborers.

Chang also said that teachers should be able to defend and to fight for their rights -- and the Sept. 28 march would be a demonstration of teachers' solidarity and dignity.

According to Chang, there would be more than 60,000 teachers and supporters joining the march, making it "the largest demonstration [in Taiwan] in the [21st] century."