Translated by Cara Steenstra

News released by Government Information Office

Release Date: 2006-04-03

In an effort to improve the image of Taichung City Government employees and their office discipline, the Personnel Department has issued official documents to all government department offices and other related organizations, decreeing that all government officials are not allowed to drink alcohol between 8am and 5:30pm, including during lunch break. Those who fail to comply will receive demerit points, and those who cause trouble due to drunkenness will be dealt with severely.

Director of the City Government's Personnel Department announced this during the manager's report meeting on April 3. Mayor Jason Hu later pointed out that although the lunch break is not officially work time, it is not acceptable for government officials to return to work in the afternoon red-faced and smelling of alcohol. Therefore, it was decided that alcohol drinking during lunch hours would be strictly prohibited as well, and offenders would be seriously dealt with.

The Personnel Department also pointed out that in March 2002, official documentation has already decreed that government employees are not allowed to drink alcohol during working hours, offenders would receive demerit points and leave without pay. Now, the rules have been stepped up a notch, decreeing that alcohol drinking would be prohibited during lunch break as well.