The Minimum Wage Review Conference will take place. Gong Mingxin: If grassroots manufacturers encounter difficulties, they will discuss subsidies with the Ministry of Labor

Minister of Economic Affairs Gong Mingxin. (Photo by reporter Lin Jinghua)

[Reporter Lin Jinghua/Taipei Report] The Minimum Wage Review Conference was held on the 24th. In an interview before the business briefing in the afternoon, Minister of Economic Affairs Gong Mingxin mentioned that domestic economic growth has benefited from the strong AI and semiconductor industries, but not all industries have grown. If grassroots manufacturers such as manufacturing or service industries encounter difficulties due to wage adjustments, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will discuss relevant subsidies with the Ministry of Labor.

Gong Mingxin pointed out that the opinions of the Federation of Industry and Commerce, the Federation of Commerce and Industry, etc. were previously reflected, and they believed that the increase in the minimum wage would indeed affect labor and health insurance, etc. Taiwan's economic growth rate is good, mainly due to high-tech AI, other industries and domestic demand are also growing, but not all (growth), and the salary needs to be increased, which will require greater pressure, so it will be discussed with the Ministry of Labor.

He mentioned that due to the impact of previous tariffs, related export manufacturing revenue has declined, and the government has provided preferential wage subsidies. "If there is still an increase (minimum wage) and grassroots manufacturers have difficulties, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will discuss it with the Ministry of Labor. The method is ready, but because the impact is relatively large, the service industry will also be included."

The domestic minimum wage is currently NT$29,500 per month and NT$196 per hour. If it is raised again, it will be the 11th consecutive year of increase.