WAIT AND SEE:The KMT said that it will not comment on the appointments until it observes the new ministers, adding that the Cabinet should focus on communication
Taipei Times
Date: Feb 04, 2017
By: Su Fang-ho, Chiang Chih-hsiung, Lee Hsin-fang and Jake / Staff reporters, with staff writer
The Executive Yuan yesterday announced a Cabinet reshuffle, appointing four ministers
Newly appointed Minister of Labor Lin Mei-chu speaks at a review meeting on Taiwan’s second national report on human rights in Taipei on Jan. 20 in Taipei. Photo: Peter Lo, Taipei Times
and confirming rumors circulating ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday that the government was considering a reshuffle to improve policy implementation.
Deputy Minister of Education Chen Liang-gee (陳良基) has been appointed minister of science and technology; former deputy minister of health Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) has been tapped to head the Ministry of Health and Welfare; Yilan County Commissioner Lin Tsung-hsien (林聰賢) has been appointed council of agriculture minister; and Minister Without Portfolio Lin Mei-chu (林美珠), who is also President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) cousin, has been appointed minister of labor.
Lin Mei-chu’s specialty in law will be a boon for the government following amendments to the Labor Standards Act (勞動基準法), Executive Yuan spokesperson Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) said.
Lin Mei-chu is expected to shoulder the responsibility of communicating with the public on the controversial amendments, the Executive Yuan said, adding that she would be retaining her position as minister without portfolio. [FULL STORY]
