TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The head of the National Development Council (國發會) downplayed the impact of a planned wage hike on business costs on Thursday (Sept. 5), emphasizing that wages account for only 10% to 14% of business expenses, despite nine consecutive years of increases.
Paul Liu (劉鏡清) emphasized that core inflation stands at 1.82% and assured the public that the government holds monthly inflation meetings to monitor inflationary effects closely.
Liu's remarks came after the Ministry of Labor's (勞動部) decision a day earlier to raise the 2025 minimum wage to NT$28,590 per month and NT$190 per hour, marking a 4.08% increase. The increase aims to improve workers' living standards.
Both the General Chamber of Commerce (商業總會) and the Chinese National Federation of Industries (工業總會) support the wage hike. The latter noted that higher wages help improve workers' lives yet urged the government to mitigate inflation and support vulnerable businesses.
Addressing concerns about whether public sector pay increases should align with the new minimum wage, the MOL will authorize a review committee to adjust public sector salaries based on new CPI indicators.