Taipei's rail service suspended due to protests

TAIPEI, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- A rail service in Taipei was suspended Monday evening as protesters against an amendment to the labor rule laid on the tracks, with more than 10,000 travelers affected.

Braving rain and low temperature, hundreds of people led by the "May 1 Action Coalition" -- an alliance of trade unions and labor-rights advocacy groups -- gathered outside the legislative body building in Taipei Monday to protest against the amendment.

The Democratic Progressive Party administration's amendment to the labor rule has triggered huge controversy in Taiwan. The protesters said the amendment would leave workers more vulnerable to overtime abuse, and none of the proposed revisions would benefit workers.

The amendment will allow employers to force their employees to work longer, and reduce the rest time between shifts from 11 hours to eight, the protesters said.

Sporadic clashes broke out between protesters and the police.

A total of 19 trains were affected in the evening, as more than 10 protesters laid on the tracks in Taipei Main Station at around 6:30 p.m. The protesters were carried away by police at 8 p.m. Enditem