Protests against FPG continue

But the actions were on a smaller scale and less confrontational a day earlier after police clashed with nearly 1,000 angry neighbors trying to block all access to the FPG plant in Mailiao.

The latest blockade only saw the protesters use their bodies and cars to block traffic on one of three roads leading to the FPF base.

Over 1,600 police were deployed at all three roads, but the protesters, having caused traffic jams spanning three kilometers, later dispersed without any violence reported.

The strong protests were sparked by a recent fire at the FPG base, which resulted in pollution that inflicted heavy losses in the area's agricultural and fishery industries.

Mailiao residents have demanded the FPG pay them NT$1.8 billion for polluting their land and harming their health.

They also have demanded the company relocate the complex later this decade.

But the FPG said it is only willing to pay as much as NT$500 million in damages.

Some protest leaders were cited by the United Evening News as criticizing the Yunlin County government for reaching an agreement with the FPG on the maximum compensation at NT$500 million for the agricultural and fishery losses.

They said what the county government can only represent itself, while Mailiao residents must be represented by themselves, according to the paper.

Mailiao residents have long suffered from FPG-created pollution, and the petrochemical giant cannot avoid its responsibility, said the leaders.

But Yunlin County Deputy Magistrate Lin Yuan-chuan urged residents to register for their share of the compensation promised by the FPG.

If they do not accept the compensation, the county government will provide assistance for their legal actions seeking damages from the FPG.

County Magistrate Su Chih-fen, who led Mailiao residents in a kneel-down protest in front of the Cabinet building earlier this month, did not show up at the FPG protests this week.

Yesterday's blockade took place during working hours, with many FPG workers complaining that the protesters were infringing on their right to work.

The FPG's management also called on the protesters to respect its employees' right to work, and it began adopting flexible work schedules.

But the disruption did not affect the company's production line or supply chain, with only 30 of the 400 oil tankers that pass through the complex daily being obstructed, company executives were cited by the Central News Agency as saying.

In the chaos, police used patrol vehicles to clear a lane for traffic.

At the same time, some protesters gathered on another road leading to the front gate of the complex, prompting police officers to form a human wall to prevent workers at the complex from being disturbed.

After venting their anger, the protesters dispersed at around 8:20 a.m. but threatened to come back today to blockade all three main roads during work hours.

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