Taiwan aims to raise minimum wage every year

President Tsai-Ing wen has said that her administration hopes to continue raising the minimum wage every year as this has become one of its central policies. 

Tsai, who addressed the annual assembly of the Taiwan Confederation of Trade Union, said that her government has a plan to raise the minimum wage every year and is determined to overcome every obstacle to carry out the goal, according to Focus Taiwan. 

However, she noted that small and medium-sized enterprises have been impacted by a rise of COVID-19 cases in recent months, which could make absorbing a minimum wage hike in the coming year difficult for them.

Under the circumstances, the government would still push for a wage hike, and provide assistance to small businesses, she said. 

In response, several business groups have urged the government to come up with appropriate support measures for firms that require financial assistance. 

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The government should come up with supplemental financial relief policies targeted at the industries that really need financial assistance, instead of a blanket relief package, said Lee Yu-chia, head of the National Association of Small & Medium Enterprises.