Thousands of people have returned to join the sit-in protest in front of the offices of Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian at the conclusion of their working day.

According to Taiwan media some people left for work at 8:00 AM on Monday but nearly 1,000 still remained at the rally and continued their protest against Chen's alleged corruption.

The intense atmosphere reached a new peak when Shih Ming-tech, the former chairman of Chen's party the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and leader of the mass protest appeared. Protesters again chanted for Chen to step down.

Despite the wet weather more people swarmed from offices into the streets from noon onwards and the number of protesters exceeded 30,000 by 9:00 PM.

A boss of a Taiwan manufacturing enterprise surnamed Liu said he’d given his employees a week-long holiday to encourage them to take part in the protest which it’s said will last until Chen resigns.

Those who could not get off work hurried to the sit-in during their lunch breaks to show their support. Many brought tents, instant food and water to the protesters.

The mass protest started on Saturday when more than 300,000 people took to the streets in Taipei on the first day to voice their objections over Chen and his family members who’re accused of taking bribes and peddling their influence.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2006)