Inking ECFA not a zero-sum game: BOFT

Huang, who has been busy contacting mainland Chinese trade officials to pave the way for official cross-strait talks on ECFA, made the remarks in response to concerns that China would benefit more than Taiwan from the ECFA, and therefore signing the pact would put Taiwan in a disadvantageous position.

A report recently issued by China's Ministry of Commerce indicated that China's gross domestic product (GDP) would surge by 0.63 of a percentage point, or US$27 billion, as a result of the tariff reductions set the ECFA.

Meanwhile, a study report conducted by Taiwan's Chung-Hua Institute for Economic Research for the MOEA shows that the ECFA could drive up Taiwan's GDP by 1.72 percentage points, or US$6.9 billion.

Huang said that while comparing the increase in GDP on the two sides, the public should realize that these are extra benefits that would be non-existent without the ECFA.

Gains for Taiwan will not mean losses for China or vice versa, he said, adding that Taiwan should go ahead and sign the agreement with China as long as it would bring more benefits than disadvantages.

As Huang will leave for Beijing in late October to engage in unofficial negotiations with Chinese trade officials, the Economic Committee of the Legislative Yuan yesterday resolved to have the MOEA make a special report in early November on the impact of the ECFA on Taiwan's economy.

Also yesterday, local labor groups yesterday called for labor representatives to be included in talks on the ECFA with China, expressing the opinion that the MOEA hasn't made enough effort to have labor represented in the negotiations.

Labor Rights Association CEO Wang Chuan-ping said the ECFA would have greater implications for workers than for industries. However, no member of any labor group has been invited by the MOEA to take part in the meetings and seminars on the proposed agreement, she complained.

She accused the MOEA and the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) of providing empty, speculative data on the possible impact of the ECFA on laborers.

Meanwhile, Sun You-lien, secretary-general of the Taiwan Labor Front, complained that several labor groups have contacted the MOEA and CLA for assessment reports and relevant data concerning the ECFA plan, but have been told that such information is classified.

Sun suggested that in addition to taking the “passive” approach of granting subsidies to workers and industries, the government should take more “constructive” measures to help create employment for those laborers who will lose their jobs as a result of the ECFA.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email