(此聲明為全國關廠工人連線成員盧參加香港國際研討會時,於現場發放之文宣)
作為台灣「全國關廠工人連線」與「桃園市產業總工會」成員,同時也是這次研討會台灣場次的發表人。我代表我所屬組織,有些事情必須跟各位報告。
本場次的評論人潘世偉教授,是台灣上一任的勞委會主委/勞動部部長(2012/9~2014/7),在其任內充斥對台灣勞動者的打壓與漠視,包括編列新台幣兩千多萬元律師費用,控告關廠工人,迫使工人臥軌抗爭;同時,大規模鬆綁廉價外籍勞工,使台灣外勞配額變成吸引資方投資的工具;而在面對台灣日益嚴重的低薪問題,其將所有過錯歸責於「派遣」,但卻透過立法「負面表列」方式,讓絕大多數產業可聘雇派遣工。
此外,最重要也是最具爭議,同時也是與此次研討會緊密相關的是,潘部長於2013 年 1 月,在完全無視受薪階層老年生存權與社會保障制度下,對勞工保險老年年金逕自提出「降低給付率、延長平均薪資計算」等限縮社會保障之「修惡」政策,導致全台勞工陷入勞保緊縮恐慌。
在潘世偉教授擔任勞動部長(勞委會主委)任內,台灣勞工大小抗爭不斷,大規模遊行抗爭至少有5次,累積至少有5、6萬名勞工參與。做為曾經有過工會經驗的勞工主管機關首長,我們認為,潘部長把犧牲勞工作為其累積政治資本、平步青雲的手段。
潘部長在匆促辭職前後,均未給予台灣受壓迫勞工一個交代,而後,卻可回歸學術殿堂,坐擁社會高位,我們對此甚難接受。而對於潘教授此番前來參加社會保障的跨國研討會,並擔綱此場次的評論人,我們不反對其參與權利,但我們不希望潘教授的參與只是空談學術,憑藉跨國學術研討會來積累個人學術資本,卻對與會者迴避其於勞動部任內限縮台灣社會保障之所為。
若然如此,我們認為,潘教授對被評論人或甚至與會者而言,無疑帶有欺瞞,其所呈現之進步樣貌難受檢驗;而對於作為台灣工運團體的我們而言,若台灣之政治人物不需為其所為負責,卻可四處夸夸而談,那不論政治或學術充其量將只為其個人消費或是積累的手段,這無疑使台灣社會保障或各項政策難以前進甚至倒退。
因此,我們認為必須讓各位了解有關潘教授之實情,若潘教授感到此聲明有任何不妥,危及其學術聲譽,我們也盼與潘教授進行現場對話。
台灣全國關廠工人連線
Statement of Taiwan 「National Alliance of Workers Victimizedby Plant Closure」 about Dr. Shih-Wei Pan
2015/01/10
As members of Taiwan 「 National Alliance of Workers Victimized by PlantClosure」and「Taoyuan Confederation of Trade Unions」, we would like to tell yousome essential facts, relevant to, but not included in the official agenda.
Dr. Shih-Wei Pan, commentator of this very panel, was the last Minister of Labor(September 2012 ~ July 2014) in Taiwan. Under his direct instructions, there were atleast 5 major protests against his policies. About 60,000 workers and activists joinedthe ranks in pursuit of fairness and justice, not including those involved in protestsand disputes of smaller scale throughout his 22 months at the helm.
One of the most disputed issues and especially relevant to the topic of the conferenceis a policy proposed by Dr. Pan in January 2013. The rate of benefits of Taiwaneselabor insurance pensions and annuities would be brutally slashed by his order. Andthe new calculation formula of average wage would be made worse. In the name offinancial sustainability, Dr. Pan’s “reform”, which could worsen the future situationfor most individuals in an aging society, caused an immediate panic among thecitizens, contradicts almost every rule in any textbook on social security.
Unacceptable for us is the fact that, as Dr. Pan stepped down and returned to hisacademic field, avoiding nearly all accountability. And now here he is all ready toshare his theoretical insight on related matters. His right to participate in theconference is by no means to be questioned. Nevertheless, we’ll be disappointed if hegives all the people who attend this conference nothing else than big talks adding upmerely to his own scholarly reputation. Stories concerning practices he has applied to“streamline” the social security for Taiwanese people should be brought to the tabletoo.
It may seem too grave an accusation to call his opinion expressed right here ahypocritical one or a fraud. But such room for doubt is something anyone has to faceif they are not exactly straightforward about their controversial deeds in the past. AsTaiwanese labor union workers, it hurts to see politicians, or ex-politicians for thatmatter, giving self-righteous speeches and comments in international meetings. Thiskind of action of the former minister of labor, who refuses to accept hisresponsibility for his former mistakes, can only enhance his own academic endeavorsand political capital, but will do no good to the healthy development of socialsecurity, in Taiwan or elsewhere.
Nevertheless, we would like to stress that, despite all foregoing disclosure in regardto Dr. Shih-Wei Pan, he can be assured to have his say on any related subject. We areall willing to be in this room to join any conversation with him that helps clarify thetruth, whether it redeems Dr. Pan’s previous academic prestige or not.
Taiwan, National Alliance of Workers Victimized by Plant Closure