TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Labor (MOL, 勞動部) will expand employment stabilization measures to counteract the impact of reciprocal tariffs from the U.S., Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) announced on Wednesday (April 30).
Currently, the employment stabilization measures apply only to rubber products, machinery equipment, and other transportation equipment manufacturing industries. A recent advisory meeting discussed broadening this scope. The expansion will include industries registered with the International Trade Administration (國貿署), under the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan (MOEA, 經濟部), and those with a record of exporting to the U.S.
Presenting at the Legislate Yuan (Taiwan's parliament) session earlier that day, Hung noted that companies implementing reduced work hours could receive wage subsidies under the employment stabilization measures, which the MOL has discussed with the MOEA. Eligible companies must be registered import-export firms with a history of U.S. exports over the past three years and a significant decline in performance compared to previous years.
Hung emphasized that the timing for expanding these measures will depend on the tariff impacts on industries, with interdepartmental discussions determining the appropriate moment to activate them for other sectors. The MOL aims to assist workers in industries affected by unpaid leave and reduce the risk of unemployment for employed workers. If they experience reduced work hours for more than 30 days, eligible workers can apply for a wage subsidy of up to NT$8,700 per month.
