A group of visually impaired people protested in Taipei yesterday to oppose the new measure that allows sighted individuals to involve in the massage profession. With the new measure going into effect soon in November, they urged the government to plan ahead and protect their rights to work.

Starting in November, sighted individuals will be legally permitted to work as masseuses.

Because the massage trade is one of only a few where visually impaired people can find work, visually impaired masseuses from all over the island gathered in Taipei on Friday to protest the new measure.

Apart from opening up the massage trade to sighted individuals, the new amendment also encourages employers to hire disabled workers and establishes a masseuse certification system.

While lawmakers are considering supplementary measures, many note that the percentage of visually impaired masseuses in Japan fell from around 50% to 10% after a similar legislation was passed.

Therefore, the government may need to consider and implement additional measures to protect the rights of the visually impaired.