TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Labor (勞動部) introduced draft legislation for clause-by-clause review Wednesday (Dec. 3) potentially mandating delivery workers earn at least 1.25 times the minimum hourly wage, roughly NT$245 (around US$7.90). The law aims to establish fair compensation and address working conditions within the delivery industry. The move targets concerns about pay fairness in Taiwan's expanding gig economy.
Labor Minister Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) noted the ministry received numerous opinions during the review process at the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, on Wednesday (Dec. 3). Hung expressed hope the law would balance the interests of all parties involved in the delivery industry. Legislative member Fan Yun (范雲) highlighted Switzerland's inclusion of delivery workers under traditional labor protections and Germany's intermediary laborer protections.
Critics claim the new law allows delivery workers to earn money simply by keeping their app open during idle times. Delivery worker unions strongly refute this, insisting payment requires active order fulfillment. Wen Wan-hua (文萬華), chairman of the Hsinchu Delivery Workers Union (新竹外送員工會), emphasized workers seek basic human rights, not high wages, with remuneration tied to completing orders.
Delivery workers can earn NT$4 (around US$0.13) per minute under the new law, but hitting the NT$245 (around US$7.90) hourly mark is likely only feasible during peak meal times. Currently, platforms like foodpanda (熊貓) and Uber pay NT$50 (around US$1.61) and NT$45 (around US$1.45), respectively, for deliveries within 5 kilometers (3.1 miles). Some platforms require three deliveries within the same distance, effectively reducing payment to NT$15 (around US$0.48) per order.
