Newsletter
PROPOSED LSL AMENDMENTS
In June this year, Article 30 of the Labor Stan-dards Law (LSL) was amended to shorten the maximum work hours from 48 per week to 84 in two weeks, resulting in a reduction of 12 hours' work time every two weeks. In order to mitigate the impact that the reduced work hours may have on the industries, the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) proposed to apply the flexible work hours system as set forth in Article 30-1 of the LSL (i.e., work hours in a day being spread to other work days in four-week time) to all busi-ness establishments. Currently, only those business establishments as designated by the CLA can adopt the flexible work hours system. The Council of Economic Planning and Devel-opment further proposed to expand the time pe-riod in which the flexible work hours system is applicable from four to eight weeks so that the industries may have more flexibility in managing their work schedules.
Meanwhile, the Executive Yuan has decided to reduce the number of holidays to cope with the weekly two-day off system applicable to the government agencies starting from 1 January 2001. In short, February 28 (Peace Day), No-vember 12 (Dr. Sun Yet-Sen's Birthday) and December 25 (Constitution Day) will become work days unless they fall on Sunday or Saturday. Those private sectors that follow the government agencies' work schedules may adjust their day-offs and holidays accordingly.