Taiwan Labor Ministry Weighs Extending US Tariff Subsidies for 2,564 Workers

2 articles · Updated · 台北時報 · Aug 6

Taiwan’s Labor Ministry said it will meet Wednesday to decide whether employment-stability subsidies tied to US tariffs should continue, and whether any extension should apply retroactively from Aug. 1.
Ministry data showed 192 companies and 2,564 workers directly affected by the tariffs are currently using the program, out of 245 companies and 3,026 workers receiving employment-stability aid overall.
The decision will be based on statistics through the end of last month. Eligible workers in nine industries can claim support when they agree with employers to take furloughs of up to 30 days or more.
The subsidy covers up to 70% of prior income, capped at NT$11,500 a month. From March last year through last month, 10,050 workers at 617 companies were approved for NT$111.5 million in payouts.
The measures were launched after Donald Trump announced tariffs on multiple countries, including Taiwan, to steady labor conditions in sectors such as textiles, machinery, plastics and auto components.