The minimum wage has sparked heated debate in the nation, including whether to raise the minimum wage on a national level or whether to establish guidelines for differing minimum wages based on region.
Minister of Labor Pan Shih-wei (潘世偉) has said that the ministry would keep the national minimum wage system intact and has denied reports that it has drafted a plan that would allow counties and cities to set their own minimum wages, although he said they can set different living wage levels based on the cost of living in their respective areas.
A living wage is the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs, Pan said.
The US federal government mandates a nationwide minimum wage, while 72 states and municipalities have set minimum living wage levels that are higher than the federal minimum wage, Pan said.
The ministry’s proposal for minimum wages based on region has drawn flak from the heads of several local governments who think such a move could stop skilled workers looking for jobs in the south, widening the wealth gap between rural areas in southern Taiwan and urban areas in the north.
The mayors of Greater Taichung, Greater Tainan and Greater Kaohsiung, as well as labor groups, have publicly expressed opposition to the concept.
Labor groups say the ministry is simply attempting to pass the buck to local governments.
In response, Pan said the measure would not necessarily widen the wealth gap between the south and the north.
Given the relatively low living wage levels in the south, more companies could be willing to set up factories there, which could help buoy the local economy, the minister said.
Noting that implementing a system of living wages is not mandatory and that it would not involve a revision to the law, Pan said the ministry would convene a meeting with representatives of various sectors of society to discuss the proposal.
Meanwhile, two of the newly installed vice chairmen of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) — Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) and New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu (朱立倫) — have offered their suggestions regarding the minimum wage and workers’ rights.
After raising the minimum wage for Taipei City Government temporary workers this month, Hau also urged the central government to increase the national minimum wage this year.
Chu put forward the idea of encouraging employers to share profits with their employees by offering employers preferential tax treatment through tax reforms.
Earlier this year, Chu also proposed giving workers more paid leave.
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