TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Labor (勞動部, mol) reported on Monday (July 1) that the number of workers on unpaid leave has reached a three-year low. As of the end of June, 272 companies had put 4,685 employees on furlough, marking the lowest figure in recent years.
Over 100 people are on unpaid leave due to earthquake damage in the Hualien area. Hence, the MOL has launched a special employment service project to assist these workers.
Despite an increase of 10 businesses implementing unpaid leave, the majority are small-scale manufacturers. The decrease in numbers is primarily concentrated in the manufacturing industry.
Due to stabilizing orders, a rubber product manufacturer in the chemical industry has prematurely ceased implementing unpaid leave for about 580 employees. This has brought the total number of people on unpaid leave below 5,000, further decreasing from 4,890 on May 16, marking a new low in the past three years.
The labor ministry announced that by June 30, 272 companies had reduced working hours, affecting 4,685 workers. Compared to the previous period (June 17), there was an increase of 10 companies but a decrease of 653 people.
The MOL has extended employment stability measures for workers in five industries, including rubber manufacturing, until the end of 2024.