Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) announced yesterday that the new ceiling on monthly paychecks for retired officials who have been appointed to organizations founded or sponsored by the government will be NT$31,200.
"In addition, all these government-appointed officials will not be allowed to receive shares of company stocks," Hsieh said.
Hsieh made the announcement during the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday morning.
His announcement came in response to a complaint made by Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Legislator Lai Shin-yuan (
She had said that many retired officials were enjoying dual incomes after being appointed to government-related organizations while receiving their pensions.
According to Hsieh's announcement, all retired officials must sign an agreement before they accept new offers or they will not be hired. If the monthly paycheck from the position exceeds NT$31,200, they will have to repay the difference.
"Whoever refuses to sign the agreement will not be reappointed," Hsieh said.
"Although it is entirely legal for these people to receive shares, we have decided to ask them not to do so because it is controversial," he said.
Government officials' monthly paychecks have become the focus of scrutiny on the legislative floor over the past two weeks. Lai said that these "double dippers" earn a total NT$600 billion (US$18 billion) from the government, including pensions and monthly paychecks.
In addition, there was a complaint from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lin Shu-shan (林樹山) over China Steel Corp chairman Lin Wen-yuan's (林文淵) NT$44 million bonus.
Under political pressure, Lin Wen-yuan on Monday announced he would resign from his post.
At press time yesterday, however, Minister of Finance Lin Chuan (
He told reporters that the premier had asked him to approve the resignation as soon as he received it.
In other developments, Government Information Office Minister Pasuya Yao (
Yao is a member of the so-called "spokesman group" which was proposed by Cho after he was promoted to secretary-general.
Asked if his hosting of the weekly press conference would become a regular event, Yao said it was to be a "temporary" measure only.
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