The Executive Yuan today convened the second symposium this year between the premier and political affairs consultants. Premier Mao Chi-kuo looked forward to borrowing their expertise, wisdom and experience by hearing their opinions on how to augment the Executive Yuan's administration so as to better meet public expectations.
The consultants at today's meeting came from cities and counties south of Hsinchu, eastern Taiwan's Hualien and Taitung counties, and offshore islands, and represent various sectors of society, spanning arts and literature, education, business, social welfare, politics and medicine, Mao stated. Some of them are scholars and experts who had served in key government positions and made important contributions to the nation, and some had outstanding accomplishments in their academic or professional fields. They are all highly talented, knowledgeable, and reputed, the premier affirmed.
The consultants spoke their minds freely, giving recommendations on such issues as safeguarding new immigrants' rights and interests, handling climate change and energy development, improving policies respecting the labor force and foreign workers, developing startups, dealing with school transformation in light of the reduced birthrate, and improving medical facilities on offshore islands.
Regarding protection of new immigrants' rights and interests, the premier stated that the Executive Yuan has already established a Cabinet-level board for coordinating new immigrants' affairs, which will extend care and services to not only foreign spouses but also their offspring. Funding has already been allocated for such services.
As for dealing with climate change and energy, Mao stated that following the passage of the greenhouse gas reduction act—which sets relevant national goals—carbon emission volume will be 50 percent lower in 2050 than it was in 2005.
From this year forward, Taiwan's work force will decrease by 180,000 workers annually, the premier stated. If the industrial structure does not change, businesses will have difficulty finding workers. Therefore, foreign workers and immigration policy, labor sources, discrepancy between academic training and industry needs, and the Labor Standards Act will all have to be re-examined.
As for developing startups, the premier stated that in June this year the Legislature passed the addition to the Company Act of a special chapter on closed corporations. The revision eased restraints on the par value of shares, which will not be restricted by the act. Non-listed companies also now possess greater flexibility in regulating shareholders' rights and obligations, which will only need to be stipulated in the company charter.
As for school transformation in light of the reduced birthrate, the premier pointed out that the Ministry of Education is currently formulating a statute on innovating and transforming higher educational institutions with reference to relevant laws and regulations.
Finally, Mao said he would continue to track offshore islands' medical personnel and resources.
In order to incorporate views from various sectors, the Executive Yuan has hired outstanding personnel from various sectors of society to serve as consultants, the Executive Yuan stated. It has done so based on the relevant rules it has stipulated. In line with past practice, the administration has organized symposiums for the consultants to exchange views with the premier.
Consultants' written suggestions will be transferred to the competent ministries and agencies for deliberation and reply, and the results of their deliberation will be posted on the Executive Yuan's Chinese-language website for public perusal at http://www.ey.gov.tw/Consultant.aspx?n=D4530250726828B1&sms=F00CD3B681396983.