Crowds of people have returned to join the sit-in in front of the office of Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian at the end of their working day.

According to Taiwan media, some people left for work at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, but nearly 1,000 still remained at the rally, continuing their protest against Chen's alleged corruption.

The fervent atmosphere reached a new peak when Shih Ming-tech, the former chairman of Chen's party, the DPP, and leader of the mass protest, appeared. Protesters again chanted for Chen to step down.

Despite the rain, more people swarmed from offices into the streets from noon onwards and the number of protesters exceeded 30,000 by 9:00 p.m.

A boss of a Taiwan manufacturing enterprise surnamed Liu said he had given his employees a week-long holiday to encourage them to take part in the protest, which is said to last until Chen resigns.

Those who could not get off work rushed to the sit-in during their lunch break to show their support. Many brought tents, instant food and water to the protesters.

The mass protest started on Saturday and more than 300,000 people took to the streets in Taipei on the first day to voice their contempt over Chen and his family members, who are accused of taking bribes and influencing peddling.