Labor groups push for nationwide uniform fines on minimum-wage breaches
Taiwanese labor organisations urged the government to set a single penalty standard for employers who violate the minimum-wage law, citing inconsistent local rules.
Labor advocates in Taiwan demanded a single, country-wide penalty framework for breaches of the Minimum Wage Act, warning that the existing patchwork of local standards undermines the law’s effectiveness. Yang Shu-wei of the Taiwan Labour Front proposed that any employer cited five times should face the statutory ceiling fine of NT$1 million, a rule he said should apply uniformly across all jurisdictions. He highlighted that some regions still use guidelines from the Labor Standards Act, while others have no clear standards, creating “23 systems in one country.”
The Ministry of Labor responded that it is drafting an amendment to incorporate minimum-wage violations into the existing fine-setting principles and expects all local labor offices to cooperate. In addition, Yang urged the Minimum Wage Deliberation Committee to lift the monthly minimum wage beyond NT$30,000, aiming for NT$32,000-NT$33,000, citing strong economic performance. Premier Cho Jung-tai has indicated the wage is likely to exceed NT$30,000 by 2027.
Why it matters
Uniform penalties could strengthen enforcement of Taiwan's minimum-wage law and protect low-income workers.
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