NOWnews October 18, 2012 Reporter Lin Xiuhui / Taipei Report

DPP caucus whip Pan Meng-an pointed out today (18th) that the highest insured amount for laborers is NT$43,900, with a maximum monthly pension of NT$20,414. In contrast, public servants and teachers with an insured amount of NT$34,430 can receive a monthly pension of NT$46,723 after retirement—more than their insured amount. "Is this fair?"

Pan Meng-an held a press conference today at the caucus titled "Fairness is the Only Way: Don’t Just Target Laborers," joined by DPP legislators Lin Shu-fen, Li Kun-ze, Chen Ou-po, Tsai Chi-chang, Chiu Chih-wei, and Chen Chi-mai.

Pan Meng-an noted that the three-festival bonuses for retired public servants and teachers, which lack any legal basis, have an annual budget exceeding NT$100 billion. Meanwhile, the legally grounded labor insurance system is being scrutinized. The unfounded 18% preferential interest rate also costs the government over NT$80 billion in subsidies annually.

Pan Meng-an emphasized that the Ma administration should stop creating class divisions and conflicts. Whether laborers, farmers, or military personnel, public servants, and teachers, all are citizens of Taiwan. Every citizen is a child of this land, so a comprehensive review is necessary. "Don’t take away the laborers’ tea eggs and then even rob them of their funeral savings."

Chen Ou-po stated that the Labor Insurance Fund suffers annual losses, and the government should focus on increasing revenue and reducing expenditure. Instead, it proposes extending the retirement age, raising premiums, and lowering the income replacement rate—all measures that squeeze more money from laborers’ pockets. "What kind of government is this?"

Chen Ou-po added that the Bureau of Labor Insurance under the Council of Labor Affairs allocates three-festival bonuses for retired employees—NT$33 million this year and NT$35 million next year. "Is this reasonable? These budgets should be entirely scrapped."

Chiu Chih-wei remarked that a government that neglects laborers is a heartless and conscience-lacking administration. He pointed out that the Ma administration provides boundless benefits to public servants and teachers, allowing them to receive year-end bonuses and three-festival bonuses even after retirement.

Chiu Chih-wei stressed that laborers contribute far more to the economy than public servants and teachers. They support Taiwan’s land with real effort and drive the economy with their hard work. All laborers are treasures of the nation, and any government with a conscience should protect their rights. Only an ignorant and heartless government would sacrifice laborers’ interests.

Chen Chi-mai noted that before the presidential election, President Ma Ying-jeou touted the labor pension reform as an achievement. Now, it has become a hot potato for his administration. Therefore, the Ma government must take full responsibility for the current labor insurance controversy, and Labor Minister Pan Shih-wei, being unfit for the role, should step down.

Chen Chi-mai said the Labor Insurance Act should include the government’s ultimate responsibility in its provisions. The civil servant insurance has such a clause, but labor insurance does not. Based on the principles of consistency and fairness in social insurance, the current focus on revising labor insurance replacement rates and premiums fails to defend laborers’ rights.Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ pub……lass- conflict- 043924770. html;_ylt=Au8CPyPo9Wn475JUncq0xDHBBdF_;_ylu=X3oDMTRmYTZ0MTNpBG1pdANUb3BTdG9yeSBQb2xpdGljc1NGIE1EMQRwa2cDZjc5NjEwZjAtMTg3ZS0zN2E5LWFhYzctNWM1MzA1N2NlMjVhBHBvcwM3BHNlYwNNZWRpYUJMaXN0TWl4ZWRMUENBVGVtcAR2ZXIDOTdhNTVmNjAtMThkZS0xMWUyLWJhZWItOThkMTQ2NWY1MTE1;_ylg=X3oDMTIwMG1kcXU1BGludGwDdHcEbGFuZwN6aC1oYW50LXR3BHBzdGFpZAMEcHN0Y2F0A.aUv.ayu3znvo7niZsEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3