The China Post
Date: November 17, 2016
By: Sun Hsin Hsuan
TAIPEI, Taiwan — A public hearing largely seen by civic groups as their last chance to raise concerns
Activist Hsu Wei-dong, who has been on a hunger strike for more than 280 hours, is aided by medical workers after fainting during a brawl in the Legislative Yuan on Wednesday, Nov. 16.(Sun Hsin Hsuan, The China Post/CNA )
about a controversial labor bill was adjourned in chaos Wednesday as activists clashed with the convener of the committee responsible for the legislation.
The activists, including members of several labor unions — some of whom had been hunger-striking for more than 280 hours by Wednesday, chanted “Where is Ker Chien-ming,” demanding that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip show up for the hearing.
“Are we just a joke to you (the DPP)?” Labor Rights Association CEO Wang Chuan-ping said at the hearing as activists questioned why most members of the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee — which is slated to vote Thursday on whether to send the bill to a second reading — were not present.
The bill seeks to eliminate seven public holidays and to implement a “one fixed, one flexible” day off workweek scheme as a precursor to a universal two-day weekend system. [FULL STORY]
