The government said it is looking into whether it should require a fixed day off a week for people working in the media, transportation and leisure industries. That was the word from Cabinet spokesperson Tung Chen-yuan on Tuesday.
Tung said that one day off a week is a right which will not be changed. But there can be special situations and positions such as tour guide, overseas reporting assignments and long holidays that may require flexibility in that respect, he said.
Tung said the Ministry of Labor would discuss the issue with the industries concerned in the next two months. Workers’ health and welfare will be the first priority, he said. But flexible work plans may be given for these three industries. Other industries such as the retail sector may also be considered.
The Labor Standards Act No.36 guarantees that workers should have at least one day off every seven days. Tung said there was room for interpretation in the law but companies should go with what the act says until the government informs otherwise.