Legislative Yuan President Kao Kuo-Yu attended the 2025 Model Worker Award Ceremony hosted by the National Labor Alliance yesterday afternoon, emphasizing that economic prosperity relies not only on high-tech industries but also on millions of hardworking grassroots laborers. He urged the government not to concentrate resources excessively in specific areas, ignoring the actual needs of the broad working population.

Kao pointed out that although Taiwan is small and resource-constrained, it has carved out a niche in global manufacturing due to the relentless efforts and persistence of its labor force. He stressed that without an economic foundation, even the strongest education, defense, and public security cannot be sustained.

He cited challenges faced by Taiwan's small and medium enterprises in international trade, including tariffs of up to 32% on specific goods, pushing many entrepreneurs who rely on exports to the brink. He called for cooperation from all sectors to improve labor conditions and wages, allowing workers to live with peace of mind, and thus stabilizing society.

Finally, he quoted former President Tsai Ing-Wen, who once said, 'Workers are the government’s softest spot,' reiterating that every worker is a critical asset supporting Taiwan’s economy.