Taiwan workers protest work-hour bill

More than 1,000 workers on Thursday protested outside the Cabinet office in Taipei as it approved a draft bill aimed at increasing work time flexibility.

The bill would make it possible for management to force employees to work for 12 days in a row, which workers said would harm their health.

The protesters waved banners reading “Worst-ever Amendment!” and called on Premier Lai Ching-te to resign.

Huang Yu-te, Secretary-General of the Tainan Confederation of Trade Unions, said the government had failed to listen to ordinary workers.

He told demonstrators that “we all know that in Taiwan, management always dominates management–labour consultation meetings.”

The Cabinet had approved the proposal to amend the Labour Standards Act.

It would send to the legislature in the coming weeks for further review.

The premier said the review would boost economic development and offer flexibility to both the management and the workers.

He added that it would allow Taiwan to keep up with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries and ensure safety and flexibility for employees.