Additional measures pledged to fully protect jobs

Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou assured labor representatives Monday that the government will not open Taiwan to mainland workers in the cross-Straits economic framework cooperation agreement (ECFA) that is currently being negotiated.

Ma also dismissed reports that the controversial trade pact will cost 3 million workers their jobs.

During a meeting with representatives from various labor unions, Ma praised local workers for their contributions to Taiwan's economic development, as he tried to allay their concerns about the proposed ECFA.

He argued that Taiwan's economic recovery should proceed in tandem with the process of Asia-Pacific regional integration, adding that it has been with this consideration in mind that Taiwan has been negotiating the trade pact with the mainland.

Ma reassured his audience that no labor issue has been included in talks on the cross-Straits economic pact, and he guaranteed the labor representatives that no mainland workers would be allowed to work in Taiwan.

He also promised that his administration will develop complementary measures to fully protect Taiwanese workers when the trade accord is signed.

Ma noted that a special article on employment protection has already been added to an industrial innovation bill that is still being considered in the Legislative Yuan.

The bill would provide subsidies of NT$10,000 per month for six months for each worker hired by small- and medium-sized enterprises and businesses in conventional industries, such as textiles, metals, and basic machinery, and the period could be extended to one year under special circumstances.

Meanwhile, "Premier" Wu Den-yih said Monday that reaching an ECFA with the mainland will prevent Taiwan's isolation, and that the focus should be on its contents rather than on whether or not it should be signed.

The key point of debate should be how the deal can best serve Taiwan's interests and how it can be crafted to have the least impact on local industries, Wu said, while addressing the 20th National Quality Award Ceremony at the "Ministry of Economic Affairs".

If Taiwan does not sign the ECFA with the mainland, it may lose big opportunities and trigger deeper economic contraction, Wu argued.

He said the government must do its best to sign the best deal and is willing to be supervised by the people, the legislature, opposition parties and the private sector.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 04/13/2010 page3)