Labor representative proposes raising minimum wage to NT$28,000

2022-08-25

The Ministry of Labor’s salary review committee is set to convene Sept. 1 to discuss adjustments to the minimum wage. Labor representatives say the government should significantly raise the base salary amid soaring inflation. One representative says the minimum monthly salary should be brought up to NT$28,000. Meanwhile, businesses representatives say that the government should also consider the impact of inflation on operating costs.

Black tea, milk powder and brown sugar go in the shaker and given a thorough mix. The drink is poured into a cup to make this shop’s signature bubble tea. Mr. Yeh works here part time. He says he makes 15 to 30 drinks per hour, for which he gets paid NT$170. It’s barely enough to get by.

Mr. Yeh
Barista
Food is getting more expensive. My wallet can barely take it. Of course I’d like wages to go up. The minimum hourly wage could go to NT$175, or NT$173. Or better yet, up to NT$180.

Tai Kuo-jung
Trade union representative
I would like to see the minimum monthly wage be adjusted in one go to NT$28,000. According to the OECD, low-income workers refer to people who have a net income below two-thirds of the median. In Taiwan, anyone with monthly earnings below NT$28,000 is low-income.

Inflation and rising material costs are sending prices soaring. Earlier this year, the minimum monthly wage was adjusted up by 5.21%. The wage review committee is scheduled to discuss any further adjustments on Sept. 1. Labor representatives say they hope the minimum monthly wage can be sorted out in one go, and be raised from the current NT$25,250 to NT$28,000, an increase of 10.9%. Business representatives say that’s too much.

Hsu Shu-po
General Chamber of Commerce
Every time, labor representatives ask for very high salaries. But in the end, it’s the Ministry of Labor that makes the final decision. Of course inflation is putting a lot of pressure on employees. But it’s also putting a lot of pressure on businesses, which are seeing rising material costs.

Voice of Lee Chien-hung
CCU Labor and Human Resources Dept.
I do agree that the base wage should be revised up next year. With inflation at 3%, and economic growth of 1.5% to 1.6%, add those up and you get a rise of 4.5%.

Experts say the minimum wage should be adjusted to keep up with inflation and economic growth. But they argue that the raise should not exceed 5% to avoid an impact on consumer prices. Meanwhile, the head of the General Chamber of Commerce says that inflation affects both labor and businesses, saying that big wage hikes would only put additional pressure on businesses. He adds that the government should draw up a system to calculate adjustments to prevent tensions between laborers and employers.

基本工資9/1審議勞方盼月薪升至2萬8千元

2022-08-25

基本工資將在9月1號審議，面對消費者物價指數飆高，消費成本增加，勞方希望月薪能一次拉高到2萬8000元，對此，全國商業總會理事長許舒博表示，政府應定義一個規範，讓每一年的基本工資調漲，都能依照這個規範實行，避免勞資雙方對立。

紅茶加上奶粉和黑糖後，放進搖酒杯使勁用手搖勻，接著倒入杯子，招牌的珍奶就大功告成，對兼職的葉先生來說，像這樣一小時要搖上15到30杯，才能換取170元的打工酬勞，生活不容易！

[[手搖飲店員葉先生]]
“外面賣的吃的都有漲價，然後就有點荷包吃不消，當然就希望是，薪資可以再往上升，(時薪)175吧或173之類的，甚至最好是180也可以”

[[全國產業總工會秘書長戴國榮]]
“基本工資的調漲，月薪的部分我們希望一次到位，調漲到28000，經濟合作發展組織，他們所認定低薪族的標準，就是薪資中位數乘以三分之二，以台灣來講，只要薪資低於28000，那就是低薪族”

通膨怪獸來襲，原物料成本高漲，也通通反映在物價上，儘管今年年初，基本工資調幅已經有5.21%，但面對9月1日的基本工資審議，全國產業總工會，喊出月薪一步到位，希望從現行基本工資25250元，一次調升至2.8萬元，漲幅高達10.9%，但勞工團體的訴求令企業老闆很頭痛！

[[全國商業總會理事長許舒博]]
“勞方每一次都喊很高啦，但到最後都是要勞動部來拍板定案，當然物價上漲對於薪資有很大的壓力，但物價上漲，同樣對資方原物料的生產成本，同樣有它的壓力存在”

[[聲源:文化大學勞動暨人資學系教授李健鴻]]
“我是同意明年基本工資，應該要適度的調高，3%的物價上漲率，加上大概1.5%到1.6%的經濟成長的分享，所以加起來大概是(調升)4.5%”

學者認同，物價翻漲、基本工資就該跟著調漲，但認為漲幅不能超過5%，否則勢必又會轉嫁到物價上面，而商總理事長許舒博則認為，物價上漲對企業經營同樣有影響，勞工的漫天喊價，讓資方壓力山大，政府應該訂出相關規範，避免勞資對立。