The China Post
Date June 21, 2016
By: Yuan-Ming Chiao
TAIPEI, Taiwan — The Executive Yuan is set to announce the restoration of previously cancelled
The restoration follows moves by the previous administration to reduce the number of statutory holidays from 19 to 12 after the implementation of the 40-hour work week.
The previous government defended the move, arguing that the new 40-hour work week would give laborers an additional six days off annually, even with the loss of seven statutory holidays. Labor groups angrily stated that the move violated the Labor Standards Act, and staged scattered protests outside leading political parties, relevant ministries and the legislature.
Two of the holidays that were “restored,” Jan. 2 (Commemorating the Founding of the R.O.C.) and March 29 (Martyrs’ Day), will not be made up, however, as they have already passed. Protesters on Monday rallied in front of the Ministry of Labor (MOL) to demand the two holidays be made up, leading to minor scuffles with police stationed outside the building. [FULL STORY]