Taipei, Feb. 19 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Monday Taiwan still has much to do to create an equal, discrimination-free work environment for women.
Chen made the statement while meeting with senior executives of eight local companies which have recently been cited for their efforts to promote workplace gender equality.
Chen said although Taiwan has made progress in improving working conditions for local women, there is still ample room for further improvement in protecting career women's legitimate rights at workplaces.
For instance, Chen went on, local career women still face inequality or gender discrimination in job opportunities, pay scales, promotion and fringe benefits.
In the face of changing social trends and new values, Chen said his administration is pushing for legislation of an equal employment law to encourage local women to enter the job market and create a discrimination-free, gender-harmony working climate.
Chen also lauded the prize-winning companies for their devotion to offering discrimination-free working terms and flexible time schedules for female employees.