Basic wage hike discussions on hold: labor minister

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/08/12
By: C.W. Huang, Y.L.Wei and Lillian Lin

Taipei, Aug. 12 (CNA) Minister of Labor Chen Hsiung-wen (陳雄文) said Wednesday that the Basic Wage Review Committee has decided not to raise the basic wage at this time but may discuss the issue again in the fourth quarter, depending on the economic situation.

Taiwan’s basic wage has been increased several times over the past five years, with the most recent hike implemented on July 1 this year, raising the monthly basic wage from NT$19,273 (US$595) to NT$20,008, and the hourly basic wage from NT$115 to NT$120.

However, several labor unions have been calling for an increase to NT$26,000 per month and NT$161 per hour.

During the committee’s four-hour discussion, representatives of workers and employers debated the wage issue fiercely and eventually decided to shelve it for the time being.     [FULL  STORY]