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Canceled holidays have been restored

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 public holidays Tuesday (see table), a victory for workers after labor groups protested their initial removal by the Ma administration.

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]

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