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Workers mark Labor Day

Demonstrators create a ``cemetary'' on Ketagalan Boulevard holding up signs with the 10 most common causes of death among Taiwanese laborers. PHOTO: CNA

Hundreds of local and foreign workers staged a demonstration in Taipei yesterday to commemorate International Labor Day and demand greater protection of labor rights.

The event, organized by labor groups and unions, began with a protest in front of the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA), followed by a march to the Presidential Office, where another rally followed.

"Eliminate money politics! Protect workers' rights! Cross-strait reconciliation! People's livelihood first!" Wang Chuan-ping (王娟萍), the president of the Labor Rights Association, shouted as she led the march.

Labor Party Chairman Wu Rong-yuan (吳榮元) said reconciliation between Taiwan and China could bring better welfare to all, including workers.

"Stable cross-strait relations would mean a reduction of military spending and bigger budgets for welfare," he said.

Wu said he believed the unemployment rate would drop if Taiwan opens up to China.

"A lot of companies moved everything to China because cross-strait transportation costs are high; if there are direct flights, firms would be more likely to leave part of their production lines in Taiwan," Wu said.

Many foreign workers also participated in the demonstration.

"We're united with Taiwanese workers for just wages," said a factory worker from the Philippines named Dave, who did not give his last name.

He said he has been working in Taiwan for two years in a factory in Taipei County.

Although the CLA has announced a 7.5 to 9.5 percent increase in the legal minimum wage, real income has not changed much, Dave said.

"My [monthly] wage increase[d] from [NT$]8,000 to [NT$]12,000, but [I] have to pay many fees, and some [fees] have increased, too," he said, adding that deductions from his monthly wage include taxes, labor insurance, health insurance and lodging.

After the CLA announced the raise in the minimum wage, Dave's lodging fee was increased from NT$2,500 a month to NT$4,000 a month by his employer, he said.

A lack of legal protection was another issue for foreign workers.

"Many foreign workers are not covered by our labor regulations. For example, they're not allowed to choose their employers and they receive lower wages," Wu said.

While many people are worried that foreign workers pose a threat to local workers on the market, Wu said the problem could be solved by treating them equally.

"Besides a lack of manpower, why do people hire foreign laborers? Because they're paid less and don't have as many legal rights," Wu said. "But when we include foreign workers under all labor regulations, they will be on the same level as our local workers and would be less of a threat."

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