Workers and their supporters yesterday took to the streets of Taipei to mark International Workers’ Day with demands for the government to offer better labor welfare.
While passing Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) headquarters in Taipei, the protesters tore hand-held signs that resembled election ballots, protesting the government’s “failed” labor policies.
Event organizer May 1 Action Alliance yesterday said about 5,000 people took part in the rally.
Photo: CNA
The alliance demanded that the government address the failures of its two touted labor amendments, which were to address low wages and labor pension reforms, and protested the exploitation of medical personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The protesters demanded that the government reinstitute seven national holidays that were rescinded in a 2016 labor reform.
The reform sparked protests from workers and labor groups at the time, as workers would not be eligible for additional pay if scheduled to work on those days, amounting to a pay cut.
Photo: CNA
Alliance leader and Taiwan Confederation of Trade Unions president Chiang Chien-hsing (江健興) said that average wages for workers were decreasing each year due to employers being “unwilling to share the fruits of success” with those who made profits possible.
Despite increases to the minimum wage for seven years in a row, the rate pales in comparison the rise of commodity prices, Chiang said.
Taiwan ranks fifth on the international scale of working hours, and the government should endeavor to lower working hours and increase wages, he said, adding that long hours and low wages are part of the reason Taiwanese are becoming more reluctant to have children.
Chiang said the government must draft legislation to ensure that the labor insurance fund remains healthy.
The government must also lower thresholds for union formation to help protect labor rights, he added.
The Ministry of Labor yesterday said in response that the 47 percent rise in the minimum wage over seven years — from NT$120 (US$3.90) in 2016 to NT$176 this year — demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting labor rights.
As of 2021, the average hours worked in Taiwan stood at 41.6 hours, compared with 43.9 hours in South Korea and 42.5 hours in Japan, the ministry said.
However, the government is continuing to make efforts to better help workers balance their jobs and family needs through policy adjustments, it added.
The NT$16 billion it is scheduled to invest over the next four years should help 800,000 young people secure jobs, it said, adding that amendments to the Labor Standards Act (勞動基準法) are planned to provide better working conditions and quality of life.
Separately, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) marked International Workers’ Day by thanking essential workers for safeguarding the people of Taiwan throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tsai on social media recognized the efforts of workers from across society for collectively maintaining economic and social stability over what she described as a challenging three years.
Tsai said that it is imperative for the government to now provide more consideration and care for workers, particularly given an adverse outlook for the global economy in the year ahead.
The government since 2016 has been making concerted efforts to slash workers’ economic burdens with measures to increase the minimum wage, cut taxes and implement diverse social welfare programs, Tsai said.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
Carrefour Taiwan is to begin using a new name from the start of July, but it cannot divulge the name until then, the chairman of the supermarket chain's parent company said today. President Chain Store Co chairman Lo Chih-hsien (羅智先) was asked by reporters after a shareholders' meeting to confirm whether the company has settled on a new name for the supermarket brand. In March, the government-registered name of two Carrefour Taiwan branches was quietly changed to "Le Chia Kang" (樂家康) in Chinese, raising speculation that has been selected as the name. Lo said that because of local regulations and contractual obligations, the
The Philippines would likely be involved in any conflict over Taiwan due to its proximity to the democracy claimed by China, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said, reiterating a stance that risks angering Beijing. “In the Philippines, we do not have a choice because Taiwan is so close to the Philippines and we have almost 200,000 Filipino nationals living and working in Taiwan,” Marcos said in an interview with Japanese media in Manila on Monday. The Philippine leader’s comments come ahead of a state visit to Japan next week, where he is to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to discuss security
RSS