ROC President Ma Ying-jeou visited Hsinchu Science Park Nov. 2 to solicit suggestions for policymaking in the face of the global economic downturn, according to the Presidential Office.
Ma said the country’s trade momentum has been weakening in the second half of the year amid a sluggish global economy, with the economic growth forecast for 2011 revised down from 4.81 percent in August to 4.56 percent in late October.
He expected opinions expressed in the meeting to help government and industry cooperate in improving the domestic business environment, as operations at the Hsinchu park, the foremost high-tech industry cluster in Taiwan, are “the barometer of the country’s economy.”
Representatives from more than 20 enterprises attended the meeting, including Morris Chang, chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., John Hsuan, honorary vice chairman of United Microelectronics Corp. and Lee Kuen-yao, chairman of AU Optronics Corp.
The business leaders recommended that the government adopt more policies helpful to science park development, coordinate with industry before enacting environmental protection regulations, strengthen efforts to prevent the leak of business secrets and initiate a system of flexible working hours.
Current law stipulates regular working time shall not exceed eight hours a day or 84 hours every two weeks. The corporations suggested that working hours be calculated on a yearly basis, rather than daily or biweekly, recommending a figure of 2,184 hours annually. This move would help businesses deal with fluctuating orders from overseas, they said.
In response, Ma directed the Council of Labor Affairs and Ministry of Economic Affairs to study the feasibility of such a system, while noting that “a balance between employers and employees has to be maintained even in the midst of economic depression.”
The president’s visit came after the government announced a list of 12 companies implementing unpaid leaves affecting 2,801 employees.
In related news, a Cabinet-level task force met the same day to map out ways to stimulate the economy. Led by Vice Premier Sean Chen, the team will announce its first short-term stimulus package Nov. 3. (THN)
Write to Aaron Hsu at pj1210meister@mail.gio.gov.tw