TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An estimated 3,000 workers took to the streets of central Taipei Saturday (May 1) to mark Labor Day with demands for higher salaries and to safeguard retirement pay.

The rapid aging of Taiwan’s population has been accompanied by growing concern about the financial viability of the country’s social welfare and pension systems. Meanwhile, the emergence of new forms of work during the COVID-19 pandemic have fueled fears of unstable working conditions.

Due to the pandemic, last year’s Labor Day parade was replaced with a news conference, but Saturday, more than 3,000 people ventured out to march past the Presidential Office Building, Legislative Yuan, and Control Yuan, CNA reported.

At the event, retired miners from north Taiwan demanded equal attention for farmers and miners, while speakers called on the government to set an example and give pay raises to teachers, civil servants, and employees of state-run enterprises first. Pointing to Taiwan’s positive economic performance, ministers have called on business leaders to raise their employees' wages.