TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Over 500 employees led by the Chunghwa Telecom Workers' Union (中華電信工會) rallied at the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部) on Thursday (Nov. 27) to demand wage increases and the completion of collective bargaining negotiations with Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信). The union has threatened to resume strike voting if their demands are not met.
The union's demands include a monthly salary increase of NT$7,500, a transportation allowance of NT$3,000, and discussions on delaying the retirement age for employees reaching 65. Hsiao Chia-an (蕭家安), a section chief at the Industrial Development and International Affairs Division (交通部產業國際司), accepted a petition from union president Hung Hsiu-lung (洪秀龍), stating they will evaluate the situation and ask Chunghwa Telecom to address the concerns.
Union secretary-general Liu Chieh-hsiang (劉傑祥) emphasized that Chunghwa Telecom is profitable and should share its earnings with employees. He urged the company to relax age restrictions and engage in meaningful negotiations. The union criticized Chunghwa Telecom for failing to fulfill its promise of nine collective bargaining sessions this year, having conducted only three by mid-November, which they see as a disregard for workers' rights.
The union highlighted that employee numbers have decreased by over 4,000 since 2013, with total annual compensation and benefits dropping by more than NT$1 billion compared to pre-2015 levels. They argue that the amended "Labor Standards Act" (勞動基準法) no longer deems 65 as unfit for work, urging Chunghwa Telecom to respect workers' willingness to continue employment. The union calls on the MOTC to prompt discussions on mandatory retirement age policies.
The union reached a temporary agreement with the company in September last year, delaying strike votes until July 1 this year. However, they claim the company's lack of sincerity necessitates a swift response to their demands.
