The government would consider designating Labor Day on May 1 a national holiday, but it would require some adjustments, as the number of permitted annual days off has already been reached, Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) said on Tuesday.
Chen was responding to urging from Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lin I-chin (林宜瑾) during a legislative session for the nation to not “forget its roots” and give everyone a deserved day off to spend with family.
The holiday is currently observed by the private sector, but schools, public service jobs and the military typically do not provide the day off.
Photo: Liao Chen-hui, Taipei Times
Taiwan has a fixed 115 to 116 national days off annually, as approved by the legislature, Chen said.
Although many people do not have to work on Labor Day, their children still have to attend school, leading to calls for a national holiday for everyone, Chen said.
The premier said their requests have been heard and the government is considering the change, although it would take some adjustments.
Lin conceded that the greatest challenge would be in budgeting overtime pay for police and firefighters, but still urged the Cabinet to think carefully about the proposal.
There has already been an internal review of the idea, but an impact assessment is still needed, Directorate-General of Personnel Administration Personnel Division Director-General Su Chun-jung (蘇俊榮) said, adding that once that is complete, it would sign off on the idea and submit it to the Cabinet.
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