Taipei, Aug. 25 (CNA) One of Taiwan's major trade unions has called for the minimum wage to be increased by more than 10 percent to NT$28,000 (US$926) per month, saying that working people need more money to cope with the rising cost of living.
A remark by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday that the government hopes to continue raising the nation’s monthly minimum wage every year drew mixed reactions from labor unions and trade groups yesterday, from expectations about a steeper increase next year to concerns over adverse effects on businesses already affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
Taiwan Labour Front secretary-general Son Yu-liam (孫友聯) said he welcomed Tsai’s announcement and expected that a wage hike next year would be larger than the increase this year, the state-run Central News Agency (CNA) quoted Son as saying.
This year, the monthly minimum wage was raised by 5.21 percent
INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC: Some SMEs have been hit by COVID-19 restrictions, so there should be support for those that cannot afford a minimum wage hike, a group saidBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporter
Taipei, June 6 (CNA) President Tsai-Ing wen (蔡英文) on Monday said her government hopes to continue raising the minimum wage every year because it has become one of its central policies.
Labor groups yesterday marked International Workers’ Day with a march through Taipei, while groups focused on pushing a higher minimum wage and guaranteed worker pension plans.
Participants congregated along Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office Building, before marching past the Legislative Yuan where they unfurled large banners with slogans asking for legislators’ support.
A teachers’ group later held a sit-in protest in front of the Executive Yuan, while brief scuffles broke out with police in front of the Control Yuan.
Taiwan Confederation of Trade Unions director Chiang Chien-hsin (江健興) led attendees in chanting slogans on a stage with participants waving