Taiwan News
Date: Taiwan News
By: Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Labor Minister Kuo Fong-yu on Wednesday denied reports that he would raise the basic hourly wage in July.
At present, the official basic minimum wage stands at NT$20,008 (US$613.5) per month and the hourly wage at NT$120 (US$3.67). However, since the official working time has been cut from 84 hours per fortnight to 40 hours per week, the hourly wage would be expected to rise to NT$126 (US$3.86).
The issue of minimum wage hikes would be discussed by the relevant committee beginning June 6, and if representatives of labor, employers, the government and academics reached a consensus, their decision would be handed over to the Cabinet, Kuo said.
If the recommendation was for a rise of the minimum wages, this would be handled by a review committee meeting during the third quarter of the year, the minister said, making a July hike unrealistic. [FULL STORY]