TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Legislative Yuan passed the Minimum Wage Bill, requiring employers to meet minimum wage standards when settling wages with employees on Tuesday (Dec. 12). Noncompliance with this law could result in fines of up to NT＄1.5 million and public disclosure of the offender's name.
The new wage legislation mandates the inclusion of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as one of the key references when determining minimum wage, thereby linking wage adjustments more closely with the cost of living.
Previously, adjustments to the basic wage were governed by lesser regulations - the Deliberation Regulations for Basic Wage, which are merely administrative orders and do not guarantee annual wage increases.
Labor Minister Hsu Ming-chun welcomed the passage of this legislation, extending thanks to labor and employer groups, scholar experts who participated in the drafting process, and legislators from all parties for their support.
President Tsai Ing-wen initially proposed to elevate the Minimum Wage from an administrative order to the force of law in her 2016 policy plan. However, it took seven years for the draft to make its way through the legislative process.