The China Post
Date: August 29, 2016
By: John Liu
Labor groups staged a demonstration on Ketagalan Boulevard Sunday, asking the government not to
A protestor holds a placard with blood markings on Ketagalan Boulevard on Sunday, Aug. 28. The writing reads: “To President Tsai: protect labor rights and don’t axe the seven national holidays.” It is a promise made during Tsai’s election campaign, demonstrators said. (CNA)
annul the seven-day statutory national holidays, and to ensure a fair work environment in Taiwan.
Event organizer Labor Struggle (工鬥) — a coalition of labor unions — said it was making the “sternest suggestion” to the government not to axe the public holidays.
The protest was staged at a time when the new government is contemplating removing the requirement for seven national holidays from the Labor Standards Act.
The move towards changing the act has however garnered support from business, who believe the increase in the number of working days will enhance competitiveness.
Labor Struggle said President Tsai Ing-wen ought not to be “the most able communicator” when facilitating requests from business, and that it should not abandon laborers who have long been exploited by their employers.
The move has stirred passions, with one protester holding aloft a sign with the message “To President Tsai: protect labor rights and don’t axe the seven national holidays” daubed in blood.
The activists said their suffering in unfair work environments had already produced many “blood stains,” and that slashing the holidays will only worsen the situation. [FULL STORY]
