The Ministry of Education is planning to pass new policies to protect the rights of working students.

With the measure taking place starting next school year, companies that cooperate with education institutions to provide work for students, are not allowed to overwork them, and are required to give benefits in accordance to the labor laws.

Three years ago, a controversy arose between China University of Science and Technology and Taoyuan International Airport Services Co. over the low wages and long working hours of the two organizations' cooperative education program.

No real progress had been made in this area in the past three years until the Ministry of Education passed several relevant regulations last week.

Under the new measures, businesses cannot ask students to work overnight shifts between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and must provide wages and benefits in accordance with labor laws.

National Hai-San Industrial Vocational High School teacher Huang Yao-nan expressed approval for the changes, but also said that many issues still require resolution.

At present time, there are an estimated 2,500 students taking part in co-op programs. Huang believes that the minimum wage and overtime fees should be set in the new regulations to prevent loopholes.

At the same time, he feels that the measure preventing students from working overnight shifts could detrimentally affect the willingness of businesses to participate in co-op programs in the short term.