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Cabinet considers casual dress code to save electricity

The Cabinet yesterday said that officials will seriously consider the idea of men not having to wear suits to work every day.

"This is such a good idea. We will seriously consider it but the final decision will be up to the premier," Cabinet Spokesman Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said.

Cho made the remarks while waiting with fellow Cabinet members for Premier Frank Hsieh's (謝長廷) arrival at a Government Officials' Training Center meeting, held yesterday morning.

less formal attire

The idea of men wearing less formal attire to work originated in Japan, which has introduced a casual dress code so that air-conditioners can be turned down, to save electricity and help the country reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Under the measure, air-conditioners must be set at 28 degrees Celsius, and men will not have to wear a suit and tie between June 1 and Sept. 30, so that more air-conditioners can be turned down, or off.

`island wear'

To carry out this new policy, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi began to wear "island wear" shirts, which are popular and regarded as formal wear for men in Southeast Asia and most south Pacific island countries, to work every day.

The "island wear" shirts have become more popular recently in Japan as well.

In fact, Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) proposed the idea of replacing men's suits with "island wear" shirts three years ago, and she began to ask her guards and staff members to do so.

However, the vice president's proposal did not receive much attention three years ago.

During a recent trip to visit Taiwan's allies in the Pacific, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) was also seen sporting the colorful "island wear."

"If I am allowed not to wear my suit and tie, I will be more than happy to do so," Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng (杜正勝) said.

"In addition to being more comfortable, this idea will help preserve our natural resources and protect the environment as well," he added.
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