TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Regular wages are experiencing a steep decline amid rising inflation in Taiwan. Although the average monthly salary reached nearly NT＄45,000 in 2022, marking a new high in 23 years, it has decreased by 0.15 percent when adjusted for inflation.
As a result, many office workers are choosing to transition into freelancers, or "gig workers," to negotiate better pay packages and shorter work hours. Cheng Min-chih, a new freelancer, used to handle cases while maintaining her 9-5 job, boosting her regular monthly wage of NT＄24,000 to up to NT＄60,000.
"I started taking freelance jobs and accepted every case in the beginning, whether it was copywriting or designing websites," Cheng said. Cheng has developed a stronger interest in writing scripts for video games and can earn up to NT＄100,000 per month.
As a bonus, "my work hours are significantly shorter than those of office workers," she said. Gig work extends beyond delivery platforms and has gained traction in the digital sector.
In the U.S., approximately 23 million people are engaged as gig workers. In Taiwan, experts have disclosed that this growing trend has led to over 100,000 people per month accepting cases and receiving compensation through online platforms.
"The gig economy has undergone significant developments over the past 10 years, driven by shifts in time and environment," pointed out LC Lee, the chairperson of an outsourcing platform.
Nevertheless, experts caution that since contract-based work is often excluded from labor laws, gig workers must ensure their rights are safeguarded within their contracts with temporary employers.
As young adults embrace freelance work, evaluating the risks, costs, and benefits of a future career path are all essential factors to be considered in this gig economy.
