Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun affirmed the peaceful and rational manner in which labor groups staged Labor Day rallies today, saying the government respects the requests and demands presented by the demonstrators.
"The government has promoted many concrete policies and measures to improve labor rights and interests, and will continue working toward the protection of labor welfare and the sustainable development of Taiwan's enterprises," said the spokesperson. "The premier also extends his highest respects and gratitude to all of the nation's workers."
The government places a high priority on labor interests, as evidenced by the various regulatory amendments made in the past year. These include providing paid prenatal checkup leave, extending the term of paid paternal leave, and raising birth subsidies under Labor Insurance from one to two months' salary.
Moreover, the Executive Yuan has proposed measures encouraging companies to share the fruits of economic growth with their employees. It will continue lobbying the Legislative Yuan to quickly pass the amendments so that workers can enjoy their share of the profits and have better salaries.
Regarding temporary workers, the Ministry of Labor (MOL) has drafted a dispatch workers protection bill, which would prevent companies from driving down personnel costs or evading their responsibilities as employers. And to ease workers' uncertainties about being laid off or merged with another bank in the event of a financial merger, the government encourages companies to act in good faith and communicate with labor associations about employee rights; if necessary, the companies may ask the MOL for assistance.
Regarding foreign laborers, Sun said that the government's objective above all is to protect the rights of Taiwanese workers, and that foreign laborers will be permitted into Taiwan only as a supplement to the local labor market. The government will also consider market trends as well as labor supply-demand and continue reviewing and adjusting policies on the import of labor.