The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday demanded that the government maintain its original policy of low rates for oil, water and electricity even though public utilities are lobbying to raise prices.
Members of TSU's legislative caucus made the appeal at a meeting of officials from state-owned Chinese Petroleum Corp (CPC), Taiwan Water Corp, Taiwan Power Co (Taipower), as well as the Bureau of National Health Insurance (BNHI), who were invited to explain their future policies.
Chang Hung-chiang (
Chang admitted that there was price-hike pressure for oil, but he said "prices are decided by the market," and that the CPC has not set any readjustment scale in advance.
Chiang Ching-san (
However, due to the soaring prices of oil and coal in international markets in the last few years, Taipower suffered additional spending of NT$47 billion in 2003, Chang added, saying that the company could not afford more losses.
TSU lawmakers estimated that if all these prices were increased at the same time in the second half of this year, every family would have to spend several thousand NT dollars more each month. They urged the government to supply these basic daily necessities at low prices.
Meanwhile, Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
Wang made the appeal following remarks made by Premier Frank Hsieh (
Wang stressed that this was not an opportune time for the government to increase rates for daily necessities as many people are living in poverty. He urged the government to keep its election campaign promises.
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