In proposed amendments to the Labor Standards Act, the Executive Yuan remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting the rights and safety of workers as demonstrated in the draft's four basic working rights and four flexible measures, Minister without Portfolio and Spokesperson Hsu Kuo-yung said today.
Addressing public concerns about Article 34 provisions for minimum rest time between work shifts, the Executive Yuan's version of the amendments has never proposed lowering the rest period from 11 hours to eight for all industries, Minister Hsu said. Exceptions to this rule were made not for the convenience of employers and business operations but to allow production activities and public services to respond accordingly in the event of natural disasters, emergencies or sudden events (as in the dust explosion of 2015, gas explosions and various earthquakes). The rest period rule applies only to shift systems, while the exceptions apply only in special cases and will not become the norm, he emphasized.
As for concerns over changes to Article 36 provisions on mandatory days off, the Executive Yuan remains resolute on the principle of giving workers two days off per week, and has never proposed allowing all business units to adjust this rule, Minister Hsu continued. Adjustments are only permitted in special situations (during special holidays, for certain job sites, in specific lines of work, or for organizing special activities), and with the consent of the central government agency in charge of the industry and the approval of the Ministry of Labor.