Taiwan sees fall in number of furloughed workers

This marks an improvement from June’s high number of 31,000, which has fallen as the economic impact of COVID-19 has waned.
By: | November 20, 2020
Topics: Employee Experience | Health and Wellness | News | Taiwan

The number of furloughed staff in Taiwan has continued to fall in the second week of November to 11,317, marking a decline of 380 from the week prior, highlights its Ministry of Labor (MOL).

At its peak, the number of furloughed workers in Taiwan totaled about 31,000 as at end-June, but this has dropped as the economic impact of the pandemic has waned, said Huang Wei-chen, deputy director of the Department of Labor Standards and Equal Employment at MOL, according to news agency Focus Taiwan.

The fall in furloughed numbers was attributed to two manufacturing firms allowing its workers to return full-time. A metal and machinery company allowed some 100 staff to resume employment, while a consumer goods manufacturer brought some 200 workers back to work. 

READ: 1.2 million laid off or furloughed in Indonesia due to COVID-19

However, manufacturers that are highly dependent on overseas projects are still struggling, said Huang. On the same note, so are companies in the sectors of travel; wholesale and retail; and transportation and warehousing.

The furlough period for workers typically lasts for less than three months, involving staff taking five to eight days of unpaid leave per month, the ministry said.