By KHT Staff. AI illustration image.
KAOHSIUNG — Labor groups called for a 7.77% increase in Taiwan’s minimum wage Thursday, pointing in part to rising living expenses in Kaohsiung as a reason for a larger raise, according to a UDN report.
The proposal would lift the monthly minimum wage from NT$29,500 to NT$31,792 and the hourly rate from NT$196 to NT$211. Members of the National Federation of Industrial Unions (全國產業總工會) made the demand outside the Ministry of Labor as a committee met to consider the rates for 2027.
Federation chair Tai Kuo-jung (戴國榮) said monthly living expenses per person had risen by more than 5% in both Kaohsiung and New Taipei City during the first five months of this year. He argued that last year’s 3.18% minimum wage increase had not done enough to protect lower-paid workers’ purchasing power.
Employer groups have urged a smaller increase, citing difficulties faced by traditional industries and smaller businesses. The minimum wage review committee includes labor, employer, government, and academic representatives. It had not announced a decision at the time of the labor groups’ protest. If approved, new rates would ordinarily take effect on Jan. 1.
