Taiwan workers protest against planned China deal
Agence France Presse | 2 May 2010
Taiwan workers protest against planned China deal
TAIPEI — Thousands of Taiwanese people took to the streets of the capital on Saturday for a labour day protest against a planned trade pact with China that they say will threaten the island’s workforce.
Trade unions and workers’ groups from across the island marched through the streets of Taipei, shouting slogans and waving placards against the government’s plan to sign the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA).
"We oppose ECFA and other free trade deals because they are intended for the benefits of large corporations rather than grassroots workers," said Huang Yu-te, a lead organiser of the protest.
"We urge the government not to overlook ECFA’s impact on the job market and to better protect labour rights when negotiating with China," he said.
Organisers claimed a turnout of about 10,000 while police estimate was not immediately available.
"I think ECFA will only hurt Taiwan by opening up to even more Chinese products. The government should not sign it," said protester Wu Yen-sheng, who works for a chemical factory.
Taiwan’s Beijing-friendly administration hopes to sign the agreement as early as June, saying it will boost economic growth and employment through greater trade.
But opponents say stronger competition from China will cost jobs and the accord will make the island more dependent on the mainland.
Taiwan and China have been governed separately since a civil war in 1949, but Beijing considers the island part of its territory and has vowed to get it back, by force if it must.
