Executive Yuan 結果共80筆

Taiwan’s Executive Yuan will implement a 5-year subsidy program for university dormitory students. Starting in Feb 2024, students will receive financial assistance every semester. Each student will receive NT＄5,000 per semester, with low-income students receiving NT＄7,000. The program aims to make higher education more accessible and will benefit an estimated 275,000 students.

Executive Yuan Premier Chen Chien-jen stresses the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and announces a new data protection committee during his visit to local banks amid increasing cyber attacks in Taiwan.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) clarified that school teacher bonuses are not part of salary raises, in response to the National Federation of Teachers Unions (NFTU) advocating for improved benefits for elementary and secondary school teachers. The MOE stated that homeroom teacher bonuses reached NT$3,000 before 2017, while the hourly wage for substitute teachers has increased. However, the bonuses for special education teachers still require approval from the Executive Yuan. The NFTU held a press conference to propose better conditions for kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school teachers, highlighting the government’s focus on universities and neglecting the needs of these teachers. With 250,000 out of the total 300,000 teachers in Taiwan working in elementary and secondary schools, the NFTU emphasized the significant remuneration gap, unadjusted overall salaries, and the lack of increase in special education teacher bonuses that need consideration. The NFTU chairman, Hou Chun-liang, emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, as homeroom teacher and special education teacher bonuses have remained unchanged for 10 and 31 years, respectively. The NFTU’s publicity director, Luo Te-shui, urged that anything beneficial to education should not be delayed until the elections.

The Bahwan Tribe of Taiwan’s Bunun people are demanding that National Taiwan University (NTU) return ancestral remains taken without permission from a Bahwan public cemetery 63 years ago. NTU has been accused of shirking its historical responsibilities, leading to disagreements with the tribe. The issue dates back to the 1960s when the NTU College of Medicine Physical Anthropology Research Team took remains from the Bahwan Tribe’s cemetery, ’Lilieq,’ for academic research. The ’Return Bahwan Bunun Ancestors’ Remains Committee’ has approached the Executive Yuan, urging the government and NTU to return the remains and cease depriving indigenous people. NTU claims to have 43 boxes of the remains stored in its research room and has been participating in discussions with the government and legislature since the tribe’s request in 2017. However, indigenous legislator candidate Savungaz Valincinan expressed disappointment with NTU’s lack of effort to establish a relationship with the tribe and refusal to cover transportation and accommodation costs for their trips to Taipei. NTU has recently expressed willingness to return the remains, erect a memorial, honor the deceased as ＂Great Body Teachers,＂ and provide medical, educational, and sanitary services to the tribe. However, as a public school, NTU argues that it cannot establish a foundation or provide compensation of NT＄1.49 billion, citing Ministry of Education regulations. This issue has sparked discussion in Taiwan about addressing historical wounds and the journey toward transitional justice for indigenous tribes, who constitute 2.5% of the population and have historically faced exploitation and discrimination.

Taiwan’s Premier Chen Chien-jen has approved a subsidy plan for university students, providing NT＄5,000 per semester for on-campus students and NT＄7,000 per semester for disadvantaged students. The plan, discussed in a joint meeting between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Interior, will be implemented starting in February 2024. Originally, the plan called for monthly payments, but it was decided that a per-semester scheme would be more appropriate. The subsidies will be adjusted to a standard NT＄5,000 per semester, with an additional NT＄2,000 for disadvantaged students, and will become routine remittances. The cost of the plan is projected to be nearly NT＄2.8 billion annually, paid from the Ministry of the Interior’s housing fund. Approximately 275,000 university students are expected to benefit from this plan, pending ratification at the upcoming Executive Yuan meeting. Premier Chen emphasized that the government is strategically committed to enhancing support and well-being for the nation’s university students.

Chiayi City Councilor Cheng Kuang-hung has raised concerns about the declining birthrate in Chiayi and the city’s residents being the least willing to marry compared to other Taiwanese cities. A survey conducted in 2018 with over 8,000 Taiwanese netizens revealed that the number of newborns in Chiayi has been consistently decreasing over the past decade. In 2014, there were 2,100 newborns, but by September 2023, the figure had dropped to 845. Unmarried individuals aged 25-44 accounted for more than half of the population in Chiayi, with 52.52% being unmarried. Men in this age group had a higher unmarried rate of 58.86% compared to women at 46.37%. Cheng suggested that government policies and budget allocations should be redirected towards encouraging early marriage and childbirth instead of focusing solely on post-marriage childbirth subsidies and childcare. Academia Sinica also recommended promoting marriage and procreation at younger ages to address the declining birth rates. The Executive Yuan established a dedicated office in 2018 to combat the declining birthrate, investing over NT＄40 billion in recent years.

Taiwan grapples with a faculty shortage due to low salaries. The Executive Yuan plans a NT＄33.29B investment to address the issue, with private schools also increasing research funds.

The ＂Pension Contribution During Mandatory Military Service Act＂ was passed by Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, requiring a 6% monthly pension deduction from servicemen’s salaries starting January 1, 2024. The law mandates that the hosting organization deducts this percentage from each serviceman’s wages and allowances, with the funds being deposited into personal pension accounts established by the Labor Insurance Bureau of the Ministry of Labor. Upon retirement from the military, individuals can participate in pension systems across various sectors. The Executive Yuan also approved a plan to strengthen and recalibrate the national defense force structure in 2022, including lengthening the military service term for men born after 2005 to one year starting from January 1, 2023. The Ministry of National Defense sees this act as treating military service as part of one’s personal career.

Taiwan’s Minister of Science and Technology Council (MOST) has acknowledged the country’s investments in high-temperature plasma and fusion research. While recognizing the potential of collaborating with overseas partners for the development of fusion power plants, the Minister stated that the current high cost of research funds makes it unfeasible at present. The issue was raised during an inquiry at the Executive Yuan Education and Culture Committee by Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) legislator Jang Chyi-lu, who expressed concerns about Taiwan’s ability to invest in nuclear fusion research. Jang highlighted the global interest in fusion power as a clean energy source. The Minister confirmed that Taiwan is actively advancing in controlled fusion research, particularly in magnetic confinement fusion, which aids in reducing carbon emissions. However, he cautioned that commercializing nuclear fusion may take 20 to 30 years. Kuomintang legislator Cheng Li-wun pointed out that the budget allocated for net-zero emissions research this year is significantly larger than the funds allocated for nuclear fusion research. Minister Wu acknowledged that Taiwan’s investment efforts in this area are conservative compared to other countries but did not rule out the possibility of participating in future global research opportunities.

Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare, Hsueh Jui-yuan, confirms planned amendments to the ＂Assisted Reproduction Act＂ will include changes to surrogacy policies, extending coverage to same-sex partners, single women, and surrogate mothers. The draft law will be made public early next year and reviewed by the Executive Yuan by the year’s end. Presidential candidates have called for surrogacy policy consideration, with Ko Wen-je inviting a long-term surrogacy policy advocate for discussion. The amendments are not influenced by Ko’s political platform. The ongoing effort to amend the law has been ongoing for two-and-a-half years, with a preliminary draft of 42 articles finalized and 13 expert meetings held. The revision aims to protect children’s rights while addressing same-sex marriage, single women, and surrogacy issues. Surrogacy services will require professional consultation and legal contracts to outline rights and obligations for both parties.

The Taiwanese government is set to launch a new subsidy program in February 2023, providing consistent allowances to college students living in dormitories. The program, initiated by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), aims to alleviate economic burdens on students and allow them to focus on their future. Approximately 260,000 students are expected to benefit from the program, which will require an annual expenditure of NT$20 billion to NT$30 billion. The subsidy is estimated to range from NT$1,200 to NT$1,500 per month and will be submitted to the Executive Yuan for examination. The government emphasizes its commitment to youth welfare and ensuring equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their living arrangements.

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je has proposed several policies to address Taiwan’s low birth rate. These policies include extending maternity leave, offering a ＂pregnancy subsidy＂ of NT$50,000 to expectant mothers, and providing an additional subsidy of NT$100,000 to families after the child is born. Ko also plans to establish a ＂Population Development Committee＂ within the Executive Yuan to coordinate efforts between various governmental departments and address the issue of low birth rates. He advocates for increasing public childcare facilities and raising salaries for public preschool teachers and personnel to improve the employment environment for childcare workers. The National Development Council predicts that Taiwan’s population could be halved by 2070 due to low birth rates and an aging population, which would further burden society and younger generations. Ko sees the low birth rate as a security issue for Taiwan, causing labor shortages and challenges in school recruitment.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Taiwan will increase monthly academic research grants for professors, associate professors, and assistant professors at public universities starting next year. This move aims to address low wages for academic talent in Taiwan. The Executive Yuan has committed to investing NT＄33.29 billion over the next five years to support this initiative. The research grants for teaching staff at public universities will increase by NT＄6,000 to NT＄9,000 per month. Additionally, the Ministry will invest an additional NT＄860 million to encourage private universities to raise their faculty salaries, bridging the salary gap between public and private institutions. The efforts also include the introduction of new doctoral scholarships and subsidies for part-time teaching assistant positions for doctorate students. The MOE’s Department of Higher Education Director-General, Chu Chun-chang, stated that if private universities can increase academic research funding by 15%, the MOE will cover 70% of the cost. Furthermore, starting next year, the ＂flexible pay＂ system for outstanding teachers will be expanded, with increased subsidies.

The approval rating of President Tsai Ing-wen has dropped to a record low of 43.9%, decreasing by 5.7 points from the previous month, according to a recent survey conducted by My Formosa. Executive Yuan Premier Chen Chien-jen’s job approval rating declined by 40%, marking a personal low during his nine-month administrative period.

The Minister of Economic Affairs, Wang Mei-hua, has refuted online rumors that the government plans to sell shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). In fact, the government has been increasing its stake in TSMC, with the National Development Fund of the Executive Yuan owning major shares. The National Development Council (NDC) has also clarified the situation. Minister Wang emphasized the importance of TSMC in Taiwan’s economic development and the government’s continuous support for the tech giant.

The Executive Yuan of Taiwan has passed a draft amendment allowing select police, judiciary, and accounting personnel in government agencies to establish unions with the approval of the Ministry of Civil Service. This amendment proposal will be sent to the Examination Yuan for review. The decision to allow union formation follows a tragic fire in Pingtung where four firefighters died, prompting the National Association for Firefighters’ Rights to demand the formation of a union.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) plans to increase the monthly food allowance for Republic of China Armed Forces personnel. The goal is to set a minimum of NT＄3,388 by 2025, with higher allowances for those serving in high-cost regions like Nansha Taiping Island. The adjustment will require an additional NT＄1.3 billion annually and will take effect in 2025.

The Executive Yuan approved amendments to the Classified National Security Information Protection Act and the Political Archives Act which will put an end to indefinite secrecy of national classified archives. The revisions aim to review the necessity of extending confidentiality through periodic reviews instead of permanent secrecy.

Taiwan’s Executive Yuan has approved a five-year plan to enhance care services for the physically and mentally challenged. The plan involves investing over NT$48 billion to expand community care and day-care centers, as well as raising the minimum wage of service personnel to NT$37,700.

China’s decision to extend its trade barrier investigation into Taiwan, which coincides with the upcoming elections, is seen by Taiwan’s Executive Yuan as a politically motivated move to interfere with the elections. The Executive Yuan argues that this action violates World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Taiwan maintains that it has not violated any WTO rules and criticizes China’s investigation process as opaque and discriminatory. The extension of the investigation date is seen as further evidence of China’s political agenda. Both the Executive Yuan and the Mainland Affairs Council call on China to stop politicizing trade issues and adhere to WTO regulations in resolving disputes.

The Executive Yuan Gazette Online has announced that foreign individuals, residents from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, and their legal entities are now prohibited from applying to publish election recall advertisements in Taiwan. Violators can face fines ranging from NT$200,000 to NT$10 million or twice the advertisement fees.

The Executive Yuan has approved a plan to provide financial support to night and graveyard shift nurses in Taiwan. The subsidies for different shifts will range from NT$400 to NT$600 for ＂night shifts＂ and NT$600 to NT$1,000 for ＂graveyard shifts.＂

The Executive Yuan in Taiwan has passed a Minimum Wage Bill that is now being reviewed by the Legislative Yuan. The bill aims to improve the minimum wage review mechanism and protect the living standards of workers and their families.

Taiwan’s Executive Yuan approves amendments to the ＂House Tax Act,＂ targeting property hoarders and offering tax breaks to single-occupancy homeowners. Learn how these changes may affect 3.1 million households.

The Executive Yuan Council approved the 2024 annual budget of around NT＄2.88 trillion on Thursday (Aug. 24), reflecting an increase of NT＄192.7 billion from the previous year, with the labor insurance subsidies being increased from NT＄100 billion to NT＄120 billion.