JULY 結果共162筆

Over 1.01 million people have benefited from Taiwan’s ＂Employment Insurance Parental Leave Allowance＂ since its initiation in 2009. This allowance, available to parents with at least one year of cumulative employment insurance, allows them to take unpaid parental leave before their children turn three. The subsidy is calculated at 60% of the average salary for the six months preceding the leave, with an additional 20% wage subsidy provided since July 2021, bringing the total to 80%. Since January 2022, both parents can simultaneously apply for the allowance, allowing them to apply for a subsidy for 12 months within half a year if they meet the criteria and take leave together. Assuming an average monthly salary of NT＄42,000, each parent can receive NT＄33,600 monthly, totaling NT＄403,200 for the half-year period. The program has also seen a rise in male applicants, with over 20,000 annually compared to the initial 4,000 during the inaugural year, indicating a growing willingness of men to share childcare responsibilities.

Taiwanese citizens express their dissatisfaction with the new road regulations implemented on July 1 through social media, sharing stories of the consequences of violating the rules. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) amended Section 43 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, imposing fines and driving bans for drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 kilometers per hour. Offenders also face a six-month license suspension. Despite Taiwan’s reputation for bad traffic behavior, some argue that the previous threshold of exceeding the speed limit by 60 kilometers per hour should be reinstated. The MOTC asserts that managing speed is crucial for road safety worldwide and considers excessive speeding a serious offense. They emphasize that higher speeds limit a driver’s field of vision and reaction time, urging citizens to comply with traffic rules without presuming luck.

Former Taiwan foreign affairs official in New York, Lu Chih-chien, is being investigated for allegations of improper behavior and sexual harassment. Lu was previously reprimanded for an inappropriate relationship during his assignment in New York and was later posted to the Taipei Liaison Office in South Africa. However, in July 2023, an allegation of sexual harassment emerged, leading to his recall to Taiwan. The Control Yuan members, Wang Mei-yu and Yeh I-chin, have stated that an investigation is underway to determine if Lu abused his power to sexually harass female subordinates and if there are other victims. They have also sought clarification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding measures to protect the rights and services of staff members.

The Ministry of Education in Taiwan has proposed a monthly subsidy of NT$1,200 to NT$1,500 for students living on campus, starting in February 2024. This initiative is expected to benefit approximately 260,000 students residing in public and private universities. The Education and Culture Committee of the Legislative Yuan examined the ministry’s budget for 2024, with some legislators suggesting the extension of the rent subsidy program to include on-campus students. The central government had previously expanded the rent subsidy policy for off-campus students in July, offering a monthly subsidy of NT$2,400 to NT$3,600. Additionally, legislators are interested in discussing a special program for college students with the Ministry of the Interior. The Department of Higher Education has confirmed its intention to provide a defined monthly subsidy to on-campus resident students, initially planning to offer NT$1,200 to NT$1,500 per month.

Former premier Su Tseng-chang has been invited by President Tsai Ing-wen to speak at the 40th anniversary celebration of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Su’s long-standing commitment to Taiwan’s democracy and freedom, which began during the authoritarian era, has been praised by President Tsai. The NED, which recognized President Tsai’s contribution to democracy and human rights during its 40th year, awarded her the ＂Democracy Service Medal＂ during their president’s visit to Taiwan in July. Su’s participation in the event is significant, as he advocated for marriage equality during his term as premier and defended Taiwan’s democratic freedoms during the global pandemic. The NED celebration will take place on the evening of November 14 Eastern Time, with Su scheduled to arrive in Washington D.C. on the evening of November 13 Eastern Time.

The Bureau of Labor Insurance (BLI) implemented a parental leave allowance scheme in July 2021, providing a 20 percent wage subsidy grant to ease economic pressures on working parents. A year later, an amendment to the Employment Insurance Act allowed both parents to claim the allowance simultaneously. By the end of July this year, the percentage of male claims settled reached 26 percent, with the BLI disbursing a total of $101.4 billion in the first nine months. The parental leave allowance corresponds to 60% of the insured person’s average monthly insurance salary six months before the leave, plus the additional wage subsidy grant, resulting in parents receiving 80 percent of their monthly insurance salary. Since the nationwide release of the subsidy grant, the number of applicants tripled, benefiting eight thousand families last year, a five-fold increase compared to the scheme’s initial launch in 2009.

New Taipei Deputy Mayor Liu Ho-jan confirmed that senior cards for the elderly and persons with disabilities will be expanded next year. Starting in January, the cards will cover usage in the Airport MRT, and by July, they will also grant access to other public transportation options like YouBike and cabs. The decision to expand the cards came after receiving feedback from various individuals, including KMT Secretary-General Liao Xianxiang and KMT Councilor Chen Weijie, who expressed concerns about limited card use.

Taiwanese intervention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in the Gaza Strip, aims to provide aid. Dr. Hung Shang-kai, an emergency physician from Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and part of Doctors Without Borders, has been stationed in Gaza since July. He hopes to improve the local emergency triage system to help more injured patients due to frequent conflicts and a shortage of medical resources in the area. The Gaza Strip faces challenges such as overdevelopment, saltwater intrusion, clean water shortage, and limited electricity supply, which result in medical supply shortages and hinder specialized treatment. Various organizations are extending their help to locals during these turbulent times.

The Ministry of the Interior reports that 5.6% of babies born in Taiwan from January to July 2021 have taken their mother’s surname, marking a historic high. Taitung County has the highest rate at 16.85%. This shift reflects a gradual increase in children adopting their mother’s surname, despite Taiwan’s predominantly patrilineal society.

Rainy-day gadget sales have grown 20% since July amid the typhoon and monsoon seasons, according to a group buying e-commerce public relations publicist.

According to the most recent data, the maintenance and repairs index reached 109.84 in July, exhibiting an annual growth rate of 3.38%. At the same time, the domestic housing index jumped to 105.19, a 1.88% increase year on year — both setting historical records.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) unveiled its global research-and-development center in Hsinchu County on July 28, showing its commitment to keeping its roots in Taiwan.

A Taiwanese electric scooter brand introduced on Monday (July 31) a new scooter and accessories in collaboration with a Japanese retailer under the concepts of sustainability and simplicity.

Premier Chen Chien-jen thanked the United States on Monday (July 31), highlighting the close communication and coordination between the two countries in addressing security issues.

The memorial service of pop diva Coco Lee unfolded on Monday (July 31) at the Hong Kong Funeral Home. Many celebrities and thousands of fans went to Hong Kong to bid the final farewell to their loved ones and beloved pop diva.

A factory in central Taiwan’s Taichung City was suddenly engulfed in flames at around 9:30 am on Monday (July 31), with nearby residents reporting sounds of explosions.

A spokesperson for the Kuomintang party criticized on Saturday (July 29) the presidential candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Facebook. The spokesperson claimed that electing the DPP candidate would be equivalent to supporting the current president’s policies. 

Changhua County Council Speaker Hsieh Tien-lin announced his withdrawal from the Kuomintang (KMT) party on Monday (July 31), sparking discussions about business tycoon Terry Gou’s potential independent run for the presidency in 2024.

The New Taipei City division of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) convened an ethics committee meeting on Friday (July 28) to review the actions of a KMT’s legislative hopeful in New Taipei City, Lin Chin-chieh, and business tycoon Terry Gou.

Executive Yuan Spokesperson Lin Tzu-lun announced on Friday (July 28) that Minister Chen Chi-chung of the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, will become the first Minister of Agriculture on Tuesday (Aug. 1).

Taiwan’s Legislature passed the amendments to the Act of Gender Equality in Employment and the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act on Monday (July 31).

Taiwanese wushu athlete Sun Chia-hung secured Taiwan’s first gold medal in the men’s tai chi at the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu, China, on Sunday (July 30).

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih departed from Taipei’s Songshan Airport for Japan to boost bilateral ties between Japan and Taiwan early on Monday (July 31) morning.

Terry Gou embarked on a U.S. trip on Sunday (July 30) amid wide speculation on his eventual participation in the 2024 presidential election as an independent candidate after returning from the 10-day visit.

The evolving relations between China, Taiwan, and the United States have captured attention worldwide. In an exclusive interview with TVBS commentator Wenchi Yu on Tuesday (July 25), retired U.S. Navy Admiral Michael Mullen offered valuable insights on Taiwan’s evolving role in the global order.