The News Lens
Date: 2017/01/05
By: Olivia Yang

‘If this is the level of a newspaper’s editorial team, then it’s enough to make one embarrassed about the

Photo Credit: 宋小海｜苦勞網

quality of Taiwanese media. What right do we have to flatter ourselves to be influential and have ‘international perspectives?’ writes South Korea-based Taiwanese journalist Yang Chien-hao.

Since amendments to Taiwan’s labor laws took effect on Dec. 23, 2016, many employers have said that their businesses have been affected, especially those in the service, old economy and retail industries. The main challenges these businesses have been facing include the increase of personnel costs, increase in overtime pay, and difficulties in meeting staffing requirements, according to the results of a survey published yesterday by local online human resources firm 1111.com.tw.

The amendments to the Labor Standards Act (勞動基準法) were proposed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). It is also known as the “one fixed day off and one flexible rest day” policy (一例一休). The policy aims to reduce working hours, increase overtime pay, and relax standards for annual leave, but reports have said the policy will lead to raised prices of commodities and layoffs due to employers being unable to meet the new requirements.    [FULL  STORY]

HPA announces law to expand ban on smoking places to all bars, nightclubs, cigar lounges, including e-cigarettes

Taiwan News
Date: 2017/01/05
By: Keoni Everington, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Taipei (Taiwan News) — The Health Promotion Administration (HPA) announced today a proposed law to

No Smoking sign (Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images on Pixaba

expand the recent ban on smoking in public places to bars, nightclubs, cigar lounges, and this will include e-cigarettes with violators subject to a fine of up to NT$10,000 (US$312).

Under the current regulations, smoking is banned in public places. However, there is an exception to this law for hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and other indoor public places that have independent air conditioning systems or rooms that have been partitioned for smoking, as well as cigar lounges and bars after 9 p.m.

Lo Su- ying (羅素英), head of the HPA’s Health Education and Tobacco Control Division, told CNA today that the proposed amendment to the “Smoking Control Law” to remove smoking rooms will not only apply to bars, nightclubs and cigar lounges, but also electronic cigarettes a will be included, with the devices banned from public areas and not to be sold to those under 18 years of age.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2017/01/05
By: Chang Min-hsuen and Ko Lin

Taipei, Jan. 5 (CNA) The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Thursday that it has come to a consensus with eight medical associations to discourage hospitals across Taiwan from raising registration fees for patients and reducing outpatient services.

The consensus was reached during a meeting Thursday between the health ministry and medical associations, including the Taipei Pharmacists Association and Taiwan Medical Center Association, to discuss the possible impact of the newly implemented rules on vacation days and the introduction of a standard two days off per week for Taiwanese workers.

Shih Chung-liang (石崇良), head of the ministry’s department of medical affairs, told reporters that the representatives attending the meeting all showed their support for the new work rules.

They said that despite the possible rise in operating costs, they will continue to improve working conditions for their medical staff while maintaining quality healthcare, according to Shih.    [FULL  STORY]

The China Post
Date: January 6, 2017
By: Kuan-lin Liu

TAIPEI, Taiwan — he Health Ministry on Thursday proposed a ban on smoking in all indoor public

The Health Ministry on Thursday proposed a ban on smoking in all indoor public spaces, citing the need to safeguard citizens from the dangers of secondhand smoke.

spaces, citing the need to safeguard citizens from the dangers of secondhand smoke.

The ban is part of a proposed seven-point revision to the current Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act.

If approved, the bill would take the current ban on indoor smoking one step further by ridding it of all exceptions.

Under current law, certain indoor public spaces, including hotels, markets, restaurants, smoking rooms, cigar lounges and bars operating after 9 p.m., are exempt from Taiwan’s smoking ban.

Luo Su-ying (羅素英) of the Health Ministry’s Health Promotion Administration — where the bill originated — said the revisions would eliminate a rule that allows for indoor smoking areas, by adding smoking rooms, bars, clubs and cigar lounges to the list of public spaces where smoking is not allowed.   [FULL  STORY]

www.iol.co.za
Date: 4 January 2017
By: Sihle Manda and Sakhile Ndlazi

Johannesburg – The rift over Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga’s Taiwan trip has deepened, with the

28/09/2016. Executive Mayor Solly Msimanga before briefing the media about a meeting with different political parties about the disruptions that took place during an ordinary council meeting.
Picture: Masi Losi

government moving swiftly to deal with the fallout from China the junket might cause and to affirm South Africa’s foreign policy.

On Tuesday, the Presidency weighed in on the matter but didn’t follow the stance of the ruling party, which has called for Msimanga’s diplomatic passport to be revoked. The Presidency adopted a calmer approach, suggesting the matter would be discussed and similar incidents avoided in future.

President Jacob Zuma chairs and convenes the President’s Co-ordinating Council, “a statutory forum in which the president meets the leadership of provincial and local government”, spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said on Tuesday.

“The forum is used to discuss matters affecting the three spheres of government,” he said.

He said the council, which meets quarterly, had not done so since the local government elections in August. “It will, at the right time, discuss matters relating to foreign policy co-ordination as part of its agenda to ensure synergy within the three spheres,” Ngqulunga said.    [FULL  STORY]

Funeral procession for Chiayi County Council Speaker Tung Hsiang included 50 pole dancers on jeeps

Taiwan News
Date: 2017/01/04
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Chiayi (Taiwan News)–The funeral procession of a former Chiayi County politician on Tuesday featured

The funeral of a former Chiayi County politician on Tuesday featured 50 sexy girls pole dancing on top of 50 jeeps in the procession, attracting passersby to stop to watch. (photo source: 黑色豪門企業 www.facebook.com)

50 sexy girls pole dancing on top of 50 jeeps, attracting passersby to stop to watch.

Former Chiayi County Council Speaker Tung Hsiang passed away in December last year at the age of 76. His funeral took place in Chiayi County on Tuesday. Politicians attending the funeral included People First Party Chairman James Soong, Chiayi County Magistrate Helen Chang, legislators and many county council members.

The funeral procession was several kilometers in length and featured traditional bands, drummer troupes, more than 100 imported luxury cars, and 50 girls pole dancing on top of 50 jeeps. The unique procession attracted much attention and many passersby stopped to watch, take photos or shoot video.    [FULL  STORY]

Reuters
Date: Jan 4, 2017
By: Faith Hung and Umesh Desai

Taiwan’s military pension fund may be in default by 2020 after years of widening deficits, raising alarm

Demonstrators protest against the reforming of Taiwan’s deficit-ridden pension programs, in Taipei, Taiwan December 31, 2016. Reuters/Sun Su

about the island’s defense stability when tensions are heating up with political foe China.

The government says an urgent overhaul of the pension system is needed as large payouts are no longer sustainable for the export-reliant economy, with contributions crimped by slower economic growth since the 1990s and a rapidly aging population.

Some 120,000 on military pension benefits and another 200,000 in the civil service are nervous about pension reform, a priority of President Tsai Ing-wen. A restructured scheme could result in having to wait longer to retire as well as smaller pension payments, among other changes.

“The biggest problem we are facing with the reform is fear. It is making everyone anxious and uneasy,” said Hu Chu-sheng, a retired former Lieutenant General who had served in the army for 40 years.

“When soldiers cannot focus on their duty, it weakens the effectiveness of Taiwan’s military forces,” Hu said. “It would then be easy for China to take Taiwan without even getting blood on their knives.”   [FULL  STORY]

Trump might want to use the island as a bargaining chip – but for China, it’s a matter of principle

Foreign Policy
Date: January 3, 2017
By: Patricia Kim

History Shows Beijing Won’t Budge an Inch on Taiwan

BEIJING – FEBRUARY 1972: U.S. President Richard Nixon (L) toasts with Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai (R) during his trip to China in February 1972. (Photo by AFP/Getty Images)

Much has been made of President-elect Donald Trump’s phone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and his statement in a recent interview that he does not understand “why we have to be bound by a One China policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things,” Some have criticized Trump for unnecessarily shaking up a delicate understanding on Taiwan that has underpinned decades of U.S.-China relations.

Others have expressed a range of cautious optimism for Taiwan’s sake, to outright praise for Trump for refusing to “kowtow” to the Chinese. And some, including the student leaders of the 2014 Sunflower Movement that began in opposition to a Beijing-pushed trade deal, have decried the use of Taiwan as a “tool to score political points.” But the real issue is this: Trump’s gambit won’t work, because Beijing doesn’t believe it owes Washington anything for recognizing Taiwan as a part of China.

Trump is not the first president to try to use Taiwan as leverage with Beijing. Richard Nixon, while negotiating the opening of relations with China from 1971 to 1972, tried to link American concessions on Taiwan to Chinese cooperation in Vietnam. Around this time, thousands of U.S. troops were deployed in Taiwan as part of the United States’ mutual defense treaty with the Republic of China (ROC).   [FULL  STORY]