Taiwan's Labor Day March: Demanding a Wage Boost and Protection

Workers Rally for Fair Wages, Reduced Hours, and Anti-Bullying Measures.

As President Lai Ching-te approaches his first year in office, Taiwan's labor force is gearing up for a significant May 1st demonstration at Ketagalan Boulevard. A pre-march press conference, organized by numerous unions and NGOs, highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by Taiwanese workers, including issues of bullying, low wages, and overwork. The upcoming Labor Day march, themed "Anti-Bullying, Demand Protection," aims to draw attention to these critical issues.

The march will advocate for seven key demands, including stricter anti-bullying measures, reduced working hours, and improved worker benefits. A central demand is raising the minimum monthly wage to NT$32,000 starting next year.

According to Dai Kuo-jung, the chairman of the National Federation of Industries and the general leader of the May 1st Labor Day march, the theme "Anti-Bullying, Demand Protection" reflects years of governmental neglect of labor rights. The march will also call for increased special leave days and a gradual move towards a three-day weekend, advocating for the reduction of 工時 (working hours). Regarding retirement security, demands include raising the mandatory contribution rate to the new labor retirement system and removing the 45-month cap on the old system's retirement payouts.