TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Executive Yuan has approved a budget of NT＄6,000 for each citizen and eligible foreign nationals to provide economic relief in the wake of the soaring living costs.
Premier Chen Chien-jen announced the plan at a press conference on Thursday (Feb. 23) and expressed a desire for quick approval from the Legislative Yuan.
The cash rebate is set to be distributed starting in April, with even babies born within the six-month withdrawal window being eligible.
The government aims to use NT＄141.7 billion of last year's NT＄380 billion tax surplus for the cash rebate, with an additional NT＄400 million allocated for handling fees, ATM fees, and other expenses.
While some opposition parties, like the Kuomintang (KMT), proposed increasing the cash rebate to NT＄10,000, Premier Chen believes that NT＄6,000 is reasonable given the diverse impacts of the pandemic on Taiwan's economy.
