Council of Labor Affairs Chairwoman Chen Chu (陳菊) is on a visit to the Czech Republic to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in vocational training and cultivation of skilled workers.
In a telephone interview with reporters yesterday, Chen said she had invited former Czech president Vaclav Havel to Taiwan on behalf of President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen met with Havel in Prague on Thursday before attending a forum on Cuban democratic development.
Havel was quoted as having told Chen that he hopes to visit Taiwan in the near future to see for himself the nation's achievements in democratization and economic development. Havel, a poet-turned-politician, said he envisions warm relationships with Taiwan. His wife even visited once.
Chen arrived in Prague Sept. 12 heading a delegation of council officials, including Kuo Fang-yu (郭芳煜), director of the Employment and Vocational Training Administration.
According to council officials, Chen's itinerary includes visits to the Czech Republic's labor and social affairs department, vocational training bureau and Ministry of Economic Affairs.
She will also visit Taiwanese-funded companies in the European nation.
Noting that the Czech Republic and other East European countries have traditionally given priority to scientific research and high-tech development, council officials said Chen hopes to learn from their experience in skilled manpower cultivation and vocational training.
"We also hope to forge a mechanism for cooperation in vocational training," said a council official.
As Taiwan badly needs skilled workers, the official said, Chen will take advantage of her visit to attract Czech scientists and other high-tech professionals to seek employment here.
The official said the government set up a special one-stop service counter in January to simplify application procedures for companies intending to recruit high-tech foreign workers.
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