To enjoy similar benefit as civil servants, some legislators are proposing to amend the law so that laborers can also have a two-day weekend, instead of getting 3 days off for every 2 weeks of work. Many businesses are opposing to this idea, in fear that it will increase their operating expense. In response to the fight between two sides, the

Council of Labor Affairs said that it will be relatively tough to reach a consensus between public and private sectors.

Recently, there have been several cases of workers dying from overwork.

In addition to highlighting the problems of overtime work performed by laborers, there is a new discussion that laborers should be subject to the same 2 days of vacation per week like civil servants.

This debate involves the Labor Standards Act that states laborers only perform 84 hours in 2 weeks, giving them 3 days of rest every 2 weeks.

Legislators are now calling for the law to be amended, lowering the amount of hours every two weeks to below 80, and hoping the laborers and civil servants will be treated equally and enjoy the same holiday time.

The Council of Labor Affairs said that shortening working hours is an international trend.

However, consensus still needs to take place between employers and employees to lessen the impact on society. Labor and business groups may be at odds on this issue, each having their own opinion.

In June 2000, the Legislative Yuan amended the Labor Standards Law from 48 hours per week, to 84 hours every 2 weeks.

At this time, labor groups had created this controversy leading to the present legislative proposal to amend the law creating parity between public and private sectors.

Still, many people believe that achieving consensus over this issue may be quite difficult.

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