Taiwanese protesters demand better labour benefits
- 11 years ago
Thousands of protesters gather in Taipei on Saturday, demanding a better pension plan from the Taiwanese government.
They chanted phrases like "no pension cuts" and "basic security", pressuring the government to shelf major cuts to state pensions.
(SOUNDBITE)(MANDARIN) 62-YEAR-OLD TAOYUAN UNION CHAIRMAN WU CHONG-HSIN SAYING:
"We want the government to know that we are not asking much, but at least our pensions should not be reduced."
This man predicts a potentially catastrophic future.
He says that one to two million workers without a pension plan after retirement would be a disaster in Taiwan, with homeless elders filling the streets.
Taiwan President Ma Ying-Jeou announced his government is planning to reform its pension program to save cash.
Taiwan's Council of Labour Affairs predicts the country's labour insurance fund might be bankrupt by 2027.
They chanted phrases like "no pension cuts" and "basic security", pressuring the government to shelf major cuts to state pensions.
(SOUNDBITE)(MANDARIN) 62-YEAR-OLD TAOYUAN UNION CHAIRMAN WU CHONG-HSIN SAYING:
"We want the government to know that we are not asking much, but at least our pensions should not be reduced."
This man predicts a potentially catastrophic future.
He says that one to two million workers without a pension plan after retirement would be a disaster in Taiwan, with homeless elders filling the streets.
Taiwan President Ma Ying-Jeou announced his government is planning to reform its pension program to save cash.
Taiwan's Council of Labour Affairs predicts the country's labour insurance fund might be bankrupt by 2027.