Labor Ministry Rolls Out Minimum Wage Raise, New Parental Leave Rules

TaiwanPlus News

On the first day of 2026, an increase in minimum wage and more flexible rules for parental leave are taking effect in Taiwan. Some workers see them as a gift for the new year, while others think the policy update is not doing enough.

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00:00On January 1st, most workers are enjoying their day off, but when they come back,

00:07some new welfare policies will be in place, starting with an increase in the country's

00:11minimum wage. Over the past decade, Taiwan's monthly minimum wage has steadily risen by

00:17over 47 percent, and hourly wages have gone up by 63 percent. The labor ministry says it

00:24will benefit over 2 million domestic foreign workers. And for parents with children under

00:29three, there are additional benefits. Working parents can now take short parental leave for

00:34family emergencies. The goal is to make it easier for parents to take time off without fear of losing

00:40a job or having to use unpaid leave, something many parents have faced after long breaks.

00:46Small businesses will also receive subsidies for every employee who takes a day of parental leave.

00:59The original leave system offered a maximum of two years of parental leave before children

01:18turn three. Employers will pay workers 80 percent of salaries in the first six months. The new policy

01:25means parents can take up to 30 individual days off with full pay during that six-month period.

01:31While some parents in Taipei support the 30-day paid leave system and the flexibility it offers,

01:37some say the aid restriction is too narrow.

01:39The other people say they still feel pressure from employers and colleagues if they take time off for too long.

02:01Even now, they are older and often people might have chronic disease. If you don't have a family member,

02:10then you should pay for your parents and your father. If you must pay for each other,

02:15then you should pay for your parents. If you have a mortgage,

02:18if you have a mortgage, then you have a mortgage, you should pay for your parents.

02:26small businesses will receive just over 30 U.S. dollars per employee on parental leave

02:32it might not sound like much but one child care policy expert says

02:36it could make a difference when it comes to staffing

02:56Wang says the labor ministry is still testing the waters with this early policy change

03:03and it could go in two directions one option is six months of fully paid leave

03:08another is expanding coverage beyond children under three

03:11whichever way it goes working parents and those planning families hope it will ease the pressure

03:17of raising kids and the issue and i ringlin in taipei for taiwan plus

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