Support for New Taipei's proposed labor housing; Lee Shih-chuan: If Su Chiao-hui agrees, she should urge the central government

New Taipei City's proposal to construct "labor housing", rental-only units for workers and their families, faced rejection from the central government. The city's draft amendment to the Urban Planning Act aimed to allow such housing in Type B industrial zones. However, the Ministry of the Interior raised concerns about potential resale and whether the housing would be considered a necessary facility for factories.

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If she (Su Chiao-hui) agrees with this policy, she should, as a legislator, fully urge the central government to allow this good policy to pass.

KMT mayoral candidate Lee Shih-chuan voiced strong support for the labor housing policy, emphasizing the practical difficulties workers face in affording homes in the Taipei metropolitan area. He suggested that if Democratic Progressive Party candidate Su Chiao-hui also supports the initiative, she should use her position as a legislator to urge the central government to approve it. Lee argued that the policy, if managed effectively, could resemble corporate dormitories and help address housing needs.

Meanwhile, legal experts are examining a separate controversy involving the Legislative Yuan's decision to freeze Premier Cho Jung-tai's salary and reduce the budget for the Ill-gotten Party Assets Committee. These actions have sparked constitutional debate. Some legal scholars suggest that if these budget freezes ultimately prevent legally mandated salaries from being paid, it could potentially fall under the criminal offense of "withholding or detaining" wages by a public servant.

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The legislative yuan's freezing of Premier Cho Jung-tai's salary and reduction of the budget for the Ill-gotten Party Assets Committee has sparked controversy.

These experts note that while legislators have the power to review and adjust budgets, this authority is not unlimited. They question whether this power can override existing laws that guarantee specific payments, such as civil servant salaries. The discussion revolves around whether legislators could be held criminally liable if their budget decisions lead to unpaid wages, particularly if they are aware of the legal obligations.

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If the budget is frozen and ultimately leads to the inability to pay legally mandated salaries, it may involve criminal liability for public servants for 'withholding or detaining' property that should be issued under their duties.