Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-08-17

After nine hours of discussion, a review committee has finally agreed on a new minimum wage beginning next year.

Starting January 2019, a new minimum wage of NT23,100 (US$750), an increase of 5% from the current level of NT$22,000 (US$715) will go into effect. Hourly wage will be adjusted from the current NT$140 (US$4.55) to NT$150 (US$4.88), an increase of 7.14%.

Labor minister Hsu Ming-chun said the decision was reached after taking into account the annual growth rate of 17 vital basic commodities. Hsu said her office also considered the economic growth rate and the yearly growth rate of the labor productivity index. She said more than two and a quarter million people will benefit from the increase.

Hsu guaranteed that she did not side with either employers or employees in coming to the decision. She said that she had to take into consideration the living expenses of entry level employees but at the same time wanting businesses to continue to prosper.    [SOURCE]