The National Federation of Teachers’ Unions (NFTU) today said it would participate in the May Day labor march in Taipei on Friday, which for the first time is to be a universal day off for all workers, including teachers.
Following years of campaigning by teachers’ unions, the government finally amended regulations so teachers could also observe the national holiday, NFTU president Hou Chun-liang (侯俊良) said.
The change is symbolic and draws attention to teachers’ plight for better working conditions on par with other professions, he said.
Photo courtesy of the National Federation of Teachers’ Unions
Society should see the value of teachers and the difficult work they do, as it promotes this year’s #MayDayForAll social media campaign, the federation said.
What teachers need is not just one day off, but broader institutional reform and more comprehensive protections, Hou said.
As Taiwan’s birthrate declines, teachers are facing increasing challenges and added responsibilities, he said.
With more teachers choosing to switch professions, the education industry is losing its appeal, he added.
Only by improving working conditions and systemic issues would teachers be willing to remain in the profession long-term, Hou said.
Teachers’ unions are to hold a protest on Friday, starting at 12:30pm on Taipei’s Ketagalan Boulevard.
The group is to march along Jinan Road and end at the Legislative Yuan, the NFTU said.
This year, the campaign would focus on better retirement protections, demanding that the government fully fund the Public Service Pension Fund and return seniority compensation, it said.
It would also request that the government integrate public and private school pension plans, with a unified contribution rate of 15 percent, the federation said.
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