Greater Kaohsiung firefighter Hsu Kuo-yao (徐國堯) yesterday accused the city government’s Fire Bureau of dismissing him from his job in retaliation for organizing demonstrations for better labor conditions for firefighters, saying he was given 42 demerits within three months for his activism.
“I knew this would happen, but I still feel disappointed and frustrated after receiving the official dismissal notice,” Hsu said. “Although I’ve fallen hard for fighting for the rights of firefighters, and even lost my job, I will not give up.”
Hsu previously worked at a fire station in the center of the city, but he was moved to another fire station in Shanlin District (杉林), which is in a remote mountainous area, after he helped organize a demonstration for firefighters’ rights two years ago.
Hsu continued to be active, and in addition to organizing street protests, he helped his colleagues file complaints and lawsuits in his spare time.
He said that because of his activism, he received 42 demerits within three months for “misconduct” including speaking to the media without authorization, serving as the head of a group for firefighters’ rights and holding a concurrent job of writing legal papers — even though he did so free of charge in his spare time.
Two weeks after the latest demonstration by firefighters, which took place on Taipei’s Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office earlier in the month, he received a notice from the bureau on Tuesday notifying him that he would be dismissed from his job due to the number of demerits he has accumulated.
“I will certainly appeal the bureau’s decision, but at the same time, I will take a break, and then start looking for a new job,” Hsu said. “But whatever I do, I will not forget my fellow firefighters, and will continue to support their fight for their rights.”
Hsu said it may be good news for his family, since his family has been worried about his safety working as a firefighter.
Responding to the accusation, the bureau denied that Hsu’s dismissal is a result of his participation in the campaign for firefighters’ rights, saying Hsu was dismissed because of the excessive number of demerits.
Hsu will not be suspended from his job, but the dismissal will take effect if he does not appeal the decision in 30 days, it added.
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