Taiwan approves plan to boost care services for disabled

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Executive Yuan approved a five-year plan on Thursday (Oct. 12) to boost resources for care services for the physically and mentally challenged.

Over five years, NT＄48 billion will be invested to increase community care and day-care centers and raise the minimum wage of service personnel to NT＄37,700.

Executive Yuan Spokesperson Lin Tzu-luen stated that Premier Chen Chien-jen has called on related departments, including the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) and Ministry of Justice (MOJ), to cooperate with local governments, ensuring the smooth implementation of the initiative.

This project's primary aim is to uplift caregivers' morale and working conditions, increase the volume and quality of services, and lessen the burden on families of those with disabilities. 

As roughly 1.2 million disabled people across Taiwan require extensive, continuous care services, the plan aims to employ an additional 1,355 social workers, increase community and day-care center services to cover an extra 14,572 individuals, and raise salaries for teachers and care service workers to NT＄37,700 and NT＄33,700, respectively.