Taipei, April 30 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Monday "job first" will be the top working principle for his administration and that the government is reinforcing social security measures and subsidies to the unemployed to minimize pressure on local workers.
Chen made the remarks while meeting with 30 model workers selected from various manufacturing and service sectors in celebration of the May 1 Labor Day, which falls on Tuesday.
Noting that the 21st century would be an era of "low economic growth and high unemployment rate," Chen said the government is keeping high alert on a possible scenario in the near future that the domestic jobless rate exceeds 4 percent. "From America to Asia, countries in the world are facing the challenge of adjusting to economic transition," Chen said, adding: "Taiwan is no exception. Tens of thousands of blue- and white-collar workers and their families are suffering from the impact of the transition."
And in the face of gloomy job prospects, Chen assured the labor representatives that his administration will do its utmost to create more jobs and help local workers find a way out.
With the domestic unemployment rate skyrocketing, many unemployed workers are planning to take to streets Tuesday to appeal for government attention to their plight. Chen's remarks were seen as part of the government's efforts to calm disgruntled jobless laborers.
President Chen said he is confident that his administration is moving in the right direction centering around "three firsts"--"Taiwan first, economy first and investment first."
In the short term, Chen said, the government is promoting various job creation programs by stimulating domestic demand, such as the "8100" public construction and investment projects and domestic tourist industry development plan.
In the long term, Chen said, the government will substantiate manpower resources development project, knowledge-based economy development plan, global logistics center development project, and revitalize traditional industries, remove investment barriers and improve overall investment climate.