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Labor unions want quick action on wage increase

A labor organization yesterday urged the government to announce details on a proposed minimum wage hike as soon as possible so the issue does not turn into an object of confrontation between labor and company management.

Shih Chao-hsien (施朝賢), chairman of the Taiwan Confederation of Trade Unions (TCTU), made the appeal a day after six major trade and industrial organizations issued a joint statement requesting that the government limit the increase to 5 percent and the hourly wage to NT$82.

COMPANY EXPENSES

The organization said that if the minimum wage is raised by 9 percent, 250,000 companies will be affected and the additional expenses incurred will be at least NT$35 billion (US$1 billion) a year.

Shih said that labor groups are willing to make concessions and accept a resolution on a minimum wage hike of between 7.5 percent and 9.5 percent adopted at a screening committee meeting recently convened by the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA).

FROZEN IN TIME

The minimum salary is currently NT$15,840 per month, while the minimum hourly wage is NT$66.

Shih asked the trade and industrial organizations to take into consideration the fact that the minimum wage has not been raised for a decade.

STREET PROTESTS

If the trade and industrial groups take to the streets, even more laborers will also engage in street protests, Shih said.

The government should take the initiative in reaching a compromise, he said.

The TCTU will also work with other labor groups and watch for further action by the trade organizations, he said.

FINAL DECISION

Lan Fu-liang (藍福良), director of the CLA's Department of Labor Standards, responded by saying that the CLA had sent its proposal for the minimum wage hike to the Executive Yuan for a final decision.

In addition to a minimum wage hike, the CLA has proposed complementary measures. These include a NT$10 hourly subsidy for employees at fast-food restaurants, shopping malls, supermarkets and gas stations, as well as labor insurance and job counseling for people who lose their jobs.
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