TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In response to inquiries regarding whether there will be a unified Labor Day holiday on May 1 nationwide, Premier Chen Chien-Jen said on Friday (March 15) that the decision would be based on the outcome of a meeting with the Ministry of the Interior. If a conclusion is reached before May 20, amendments to the law can be implemented.
Chen's statement came when Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Wang Hung-wei questioned the Labor Day holiday regulations. Wang stated that The National Federation of Teachers Unions (NFTU) had held a press conference calling for a unified Labor Day holiday across the nation, in a bid to avoid a confusing "one country, two systems" scenario.
Wang added that if military and public school professionals are to enjoy the Labor Day holiday on May 1, the law must first be amended. Premier Chen had previously said this was worth investigating, leading Wang to inquire about progress.
Chen indicated that if a conclusion is reached before May 20, changes to the law may be proposed. Wang responded by pointing out that if there will be no holiday on May 1 this year, she suggested Chen be forthright with public educators.