TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The central government's 2025 budget cuts may leave new parents without crucial subsidies in the latter half of the year. Labor Minister Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) warned Thursday (Jan. 23) that financial support for prenatal and paternity checkup leave could run dry by midyear. The Ministry of Labor (MOL, 勞動部) faces an NT$8 million reduction, potentially halting these subsidies.
Hung criticized the Legislative Yuan's (立法院) budget review, which deemed the policy ineffective and led to the cuts. He regretted the decision, calling the logic behind eliminating prenatal and paternity leave subsidies puzzling. He emphasized that the Legislative Yuan's oversight should be constructive, noting the confusion over some proposals.
MOL had subsidized small and medium-sized enterprises for prenatal and paternity checkup leave, recognizing their often precarious financial situations. Despite this, the budget for these subsidies faced cuts. Hung suggested the removal might aim to discourage leave-taking, a notion he found perplexing.
Additionally, the ministry's budget for local government employment service agencies was slashed, which could complicate salary payments for contract workers.
Hung urged that reasonable oversight by the Legislative Yuan should be responsive and foster dialogue. He stated that every budget proposal should facilitate good communication, helping legislators understand the details.