Minimum wages to go up for ninth consecutive year

Minimum wages to go up for ninth consecutive year

2024-09-04

After a four-hour discussion behind closed doors, a proposal to raise Taiwan’s minimum wage has been finalized. For the year 2025 the minimum monthly wage is set to go up from NT$27,470 to NT$28,590. That’s a 4.08% increase. Meanwhile, the minimum hourly wage is set to be hiked from NT$183 to NT$190. If approved, it will be the ninth consecutive year for wages to increase, taking effect starting Jan. 1.

Looking back, the minimum wage has gone up every year since the beginning of the Tsai administration in 2016. Before 2017, the monthly minimum wage was NT$20,008, and the hourly wage was NT$120. Compared to 2016, the proposed minimums for 2025 will be 43% higher for the monthly wage, and more than 58% higher for the hourly wage.

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最低工資連9漲! 明年起月薪2萬8590元調幅4.08％

2024-09-04

經過4小時閉門協商，最低工資審議會結果出爐，明年最低工資從月薪新台幣2萬7470元調漲至2萬8590元，漲幅4.08%，而時薪從183元調漲至190元，連續九年調漲，審議會討論結果，後續將會送行政院核定，預計將在2025年元旦生效。

攤開歷年最低工資調整，從105年蔡政府時期，已經連續九年漲，月薪從2萬08元，調漲到2萬8590元，月薪漲幅已經達到43% ，時薪的部分從120元漲到190元，時薪調整幅度高達58.33%。

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Semicon Taiwan expected to attract 85,000 visitors with 3,700 booths

Semicon Taiwan, the annual world-renowned semiconductor event, has opened its doors in Taipei. This year’s edition boasts 3,700 booths from 56 countries, and is expected to attract a record 85,000 visitors. Among the officials at the opening ceremony was Premier Cho Jung-tai, who said Taiwan was riding the global AI wave. According to the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Alliance, AI will usher in a 20-year golden era for Taiwan chips.

Premier Cho Jung-tai stands with diplomats from the U.S., U.K. and Germany among other officials, to kick off Semicon Taiwan in Taipei.

Ajit Manocha
SEMI president
Without semiconductors, we don’t move. Semiconductors is the foundation to humanity, while it is a foundation to almost every industry in the world. And that’s where the role of Taiwan is so important.

Nicky Lu
Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association
These investments are more than just a company’s business decision. They symbolize Taiwan’s commitment to fostering international collaboration.

The Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Alliance says that, amid the rise of AI, the next 20 years will be a golden era for Taiwan. This year’s Semicon Taiwan features exhibitors from 56 countries and 3,700 booths. It is expected to attract 85,000 visitors. That’s the biggest edition of the convention to date.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
The highway was packed with cars, since more than 80,000 people were coming to this event. The recent Computex Taipei was also very big. These all show Taiwan is marching forward in the global AI wave. As long as the world sees Taiwan, we will have a golden era lasting 20 years or more.

The Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Alliance estimates that the market will have a compound annual growth rate of 24% by 2030. Taiwanese companies are expanding overseas, to increase their visibility in international markets. The American Institute in Taiwan took part in the exhibition for the first time this year, which some have taken as a sign of deeper tech cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S.

J. W. Kuo
Economics minister
Semiconductor businesses from all over the world will inevitably gather here in Taiwan. The government’s position is to help companies find the best clients. Here in Taiwan, we are dedicated to satisfying their manufacturing needs.

Some analysts have previously voiced concern about the impact of geopolitical issues on TSMC’s operations, as well as the company’s struggles in setting up shop in the U.S. The economics minister stressed that companies make the decisions they judge are best. He echoed a statement from former TSMC CEO Mark Liu, who said that Taiwan’s industry would only be able to reach its full potential by aiming for the world.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Uproar over National Day visuals that lean heavily on ROC aesthetics

This year’s National Day visuals have been unveiled, and they have raised quite an uproar. The designs are a sharp departure from previous years and they lean heavily on nationalistic elements. The visuals are red and blue and feature a plum flower emblem, which according to a professional designer looks outdated. The logo was picked by Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu, and organizers say its designer was a young Taiwanese creator who wants to remain anonymous.

This year’s National Day website looks like this: red, blue and white, with the national plum blossom square and center. The nationalistic design hand-picked by the team headed by Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu has not pleased this professional designer.

Aaron Yin
Former Kaohsiung Culture Affairs head
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But ugliness unites us all. When I saw the design, I immediately thought of Han Kuo-yu, because the six tips of the logo look like the bases of wine glasses.

Aaron Yin, who previously served as culture chief in Kaohsiung says the design appears to be alcohol-inspired, adding that the logo seems to form an H that could be interpreted as Han’s initial. Some have also pointed out that the design looks similar to merch launched by political satire online news channel Eye Central Television. Usually, the designer of the visuals is unveiled with the designs. But this year, organizers have said the logo was created by a young designer who wants to remain anonymous. Critics have joked that perhaps the designer doesn’t want their name associated with the R.O.C.-style aesthetic many find tacky.

Lee Yen-hsiu
Lawmaker (KMT)
I would give this year’s visuals 90 points out of 100. A few people are criticizing the design as having an R.O.C. aesthetic. We respect their opinion.

Aaron Yin
Former Kaohsiung Culture Affairs head
Designing something at the national level is an honor for any designer. Doing so anonymously is extremely rare.

And it’s not just the visuals under fire. The event’s official website has been found to contain coding notes in simplified Chinese characters, giving rise to theories that both site and visuals were outsourced to a team across the strait, which could be why no creators have been named. Organizers say the site was built entirely by a Taiwanese team, with no Chinese workers involved. They say the contract stipulated a Chinese-language website template, which is why simplified Chinese can be found in the coding.

Lai Jui-lung
Lawmaker (DPP)
It got everyone worrying… Are we going back to the old ways? Are we letting Chinese elements in?

Han’s first year as head of the National Day celebrations is giving rise to much debate.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-09-04

Fenqihu tourism increases despite station openings

Apart from its stunning mountainous landscape, Fenqihu in Chiayi is known for its scenic railway and old street. Yet now that the entire Forest Railway line has reopened, the town is no longer the terminal station. As many foreign travelers like to visit Alishan at the end of the line, will Fenqihu no longer see as much tourism? To help the town, one train a day will still stop there for an hour.

A tomahawk pork steak and roasted chicken leg are placed into metal lunchboxes, ready for tourists to enjoy. These famous Fenqihu lunches are a must-have for anyone traveling through.

Traveler
It’s really delicious. Very tasty. I come here just to eat this.

Many tourists can also be seen with a box of freshly made donuts in hand. There are four or five vendors on Fenqihu’s old street alone.

There’s also a long line at this popular aiyu spot. Fenqihu in Chiayi’s Zhuqi Township is surrounded by peaceful mountains. It’s also known for its railway and old street. Yet now that the entire Forest Railway line has reopened, travelers can go straight from Chiayi to Alishan, only passing through Fenqihu. Now that the town is no longer the final destination, some are worried it will affect tourism.

Local vendor
The current plan is for the train to stop here for an hour. Seems like the change won’t affect things much.

Chan Yueh-han
Fenqihu station master
Here at Fenqihu we mostly see domestic tourists on day trips. Alishan is a common destination for many foreigner travelers to Taiwan. We don’t see as many foreign tourists as Alishan does.

Businesses don’t have to worry, because trains heading to Alishan will still stop at Fenqihu for an hour. Some people unable to get train tickets also stop here on their way up the mountain.

Traveler
I wanted to take the train and tried to buy a ticket today, but they were all sold out.

Traveler
It’s been hard to buy tickets. We tried our best, but weren’t able to get them.

Chuang Shu-ting
FTV reporter
This is Fenqihu Old Street, a popular tourist destination. Even after the reopening of the entire Forest Railway line, it’s gotten even busier here.

Whether they take a car here or stop by for a short while on the railway, visitors to Fenqihu are on the rise. Businesses are happy to see the increase in traffic.

Local vendor
It’s gotten busy, about 30% more people.

Local vendor
Business is doing well. A lot of people come on the train.

Fenqihu was already a famous destination, but with the reopening of the complete railway line, more itineraries are possible. Whether going on a two-day visit to see the sunrise at Alishan or taking a day trip, Fenqihu is the top choice for a scenic layaway.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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How does an elevator know it’s overloaded? An expert tells all

Reports recently surfaced online of some strange situations in elevators. They sparked debate about what really lies behind the signs that indicate "maximum weight" or even "maximum number of passengers" allowed in the elevator. Internet users shared stories of the weight limit warning alarm going off with nobody inside. Others claimed that their elevator had kept the sign indicating the maximum number of people, but the maximum weight had been reduced. How is a humble elevator user to make sense of this bewildering landscape? We spoke to some experts to get to the bottom of things.

When an elevator is overloaded, it makes a warning noise. But is that assessment based on the number of people inside, or on their overall weight?

Member of public
Don’t they all have signs with a maximum weight? I think it’s based on weight.

Member of public
Some people are thinner and some fatter. Elevators do say things like, “12 people,” but they also give a number of kilograms. But if everyone inside is thin or they’re all children, then maybe it can carry more people.

Reports came out, describing an experience of stepping onto an elevator that says it could carry up to seven people, but the warning noise came on before that limit was reached. Elevator companies say that the limit is not really connected to the number of passengers.

Hsieh Lai-chin
Elevator expert
It’s about the weight of the load. It produces a voltage that goes back to the top.

The sign telling you the maximum number of people that can step into the elevator is actually based on the standing room. What’s most important is the maximum load the motor can handle. A story emerged of a residential elevator that was replaced; the original had said it could carry 15 people or 820 kilograms. The new elevator said 15 people or 720 kilograms. The number of people was unchanged, but their allocated weight had fallen dramatically!

Hsieh Lai-chin
Elevator expert
If the motor is old, for example, or it’s been replaced, and it’s an old one, then they think, “I’ll lower the weight a bit to make it safer.” It’s about protecting the facility.

Reducing the maximum weight limit is primarily to protect the motor of the elevator. But sometimes, that warning sign can start up with only one person inside – or none at all.

That might be because a sensor in the elevator has detected that the elasticity of the equipment is exhausted, or perhaps that the equipment has got out of position. Such situations require an engineer to come and check it over, to prevent anything more dangerous from happening.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-09-04